Minnesota - as of August 1st, new state law that protects kids from the harmful effects of tobacco..

July 30, 2010 - The Tobacco Modernization and Compliance Act takes effect August 1, 2010.

Directly related news brief:
Minnesota - governor signs act to protect youth from new tobacco products..;
Minnesota - anti-tobacco advocates going after dissolvables, e-cigarettes...

The new law applies existing state tobacco taxes and regulations to new smokeless tobacco products, which have attracted young customers because they were low-cost.

Specifically, the law:
. Expands the definition of tobacco products to include any product that contains tobacco and is intended for human consumption.
. Requires all tobacco products and tobacco-related devices to be sold behind the counter so they are not easily accessible to youth.
. Prevents the sale of new tobacco products and e-cigarettes to youth.

Minnesota Assistant Commissioner of Health Patricia Adams: “Tobacco use continues to be the leading preventable cause of death in this country,” said Minnesota Assistant Commissioner of Health Patricia Adams.

While cigarette smoking among Minnesota youth has declined since 2000, there has been no change in the percentage of students smoking cigars or little cigars or using smokeless tobacco.

This new law will help young people avoid the harmful effects of tobacco by decreasing their access to today’s new generation of tobacco products.”

The best way to stamp out tobacco use is to protect kids from getting started in the first place.

Reference: Tobacco Modernization and Compliance Act takes effect today (Aug. 1), DL-Online, 7/30/2010.