Tobacco laws deprive youth jobs in retail stores — Teno

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has expressed concern over the restrictive local tobacco laws, saying these have deprived the youth the opportunity to work at retail establishments as they are prohibited from handling and selling tobacco products.

He urged the Legislature to review further Public Law 11-75 to amend provisions that will lessen the impact on employment for minors under 18 years old in stores where tobacco products are sold.

“This age requirement has significantly decreased the job opportunities for our youth seeking part-time or summer employment,” said the governor in a letter to presiding officers of the Legislature.

“It also causes difficulties for some of our local businesses, who wish to hire our youth, as it is inconsistent with the age requirement to lawfully sell or handle alcoholic beverages,” added Mr. Tenorio, noting that those 16 years or older are allowed to sell alcoholic beverages, but not tobacco products.

His statement came when he signed into law the latest amendment to the tobacco law which prohibits establishments located within 300 feet from any school from selling tobacco products while school activities are ongoing.

They shall be permitted to do so only after the school has closed to students either for class or other activities, according to the measure sponsored by former House Majority Floor Leader Ana S. Teregeyo.

Becoming Public 11-113, this restriction followed an earlier amendment passed by lawmakers in which they put in place requirements concerning display of tobacco products in retail stores.

Another amendment sought by the House of Representatives to the tobacco law increasing the age of prohibition on sale and use of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years old died down in the Senate early this month.

“I urge the Legislature to review the current law, and weigh the advantages as opposed to disadvantages of the issue [regarding employment of minors], as it does impact on a significant number of our community,” said Mr. Tenorio.

Meanwhile, the governor also signed into law a bill compensating members of the Board of Parole who are actually attending meetings of the board based on current regulations.

This becomes Public Law 11-115, one of the slew of measures signed by Mr. Tenorio in the past few days following passage of several legislation during the last days of the previous Legislature.