US Marijuana Party

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Proposal seeks ban of tobacco for youths

By MIKE MONSON
Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette, IL
January 16, 2006

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign City Council will consider Tuesday a proposal to make possession of tobacco by youths age 17 or younger a city ordinance violation – punishable by a fine of up to $145.

That's just fine with Champaign Central High School Principal William Freyman.
"I think it's a good idea," Freyman said. "It gives kids a reason not to do it. If it's clearly prohibited and there's a penalty, a lot of kids won't do it."

Making possession of tobacco illegal will also limit marijuana smoking, Freyman said, which some students now do by hollowing out part of a cigar and replacing it with marijuana.

The anti-smoking proposal, made by Mayor Jerry Schweighart, appears likely to pass – though one council member is questioning the fine amount and another says he'll oppose the measure because it doesn't go far enough.

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