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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. XV-D <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 8, 1993 <br /> SUBJECT: A Resolution to limit Youth Access to Tobacco in North Carolina <br /> DEPARTMENT: HEALTH PUBLIC HEARING: Yes X No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S) : 1. Resolution INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> HEALTH DIRECTOR'S OFFICE X2411 <br /> TELEPHONE NUMBER: <br /> Hillsborough - 732-8181 <br /> Chapel Hill - 968-4501 <br /> Mebane - 227-2031 <br /> Durham - 688-7331 <br /> PURPOSE: <br /> To consider a resolution urging the General Assembly to remove a loop hole <br /> from the existing state law that prohibits the sale of tobacco products to <br /> minors. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> In the last session of the North Carolina General Assembly the legislature <br /> raised the age for the sale of tobacco products from 17 to 18. However, <br /> at the same time, the word "knowingly" was added to the law, therefore <br /> making the bill ineffective. On the 24th of April, 1992, a district <br /> court judge found a store clerk innocent of selling cigarettes to a <br /> 14 year old in Wilmington, North Carolina. <br /> Therefore, the New Hanover County Commissioners and county Board of Health <br /> are spear heading an effort to get the word "knowingly" out of the present <br /> law, plus add a requirement that merchants must check the age of young <br /> people through identification prior to the sale of tobacco products. <br /> The Board of Health adopted this resolution at its meeting of January 28, <br /> 1993 and passed a motion asking the Health Director to submit it to the <br /> Board of Commissioners for adoption. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Administration recommends that the Board of <br /> Commissioners adopt the attached Resolution as requested by <br /> the Board of Health. <br />