Cigarette-smoking teenagers could breathe a little easier Tuesday.
A Utah House committee killed a bill that would have suspended the drivers' licenses of underage-smokers for the second, third and fourth tobacco-related offenses.
Rep. Carl Saunders said he wants to "do anything I can" to help teenagers hooked on tobacco to quit smoking. And a good way to do that is to "hit 'em where it hurts — their driving privileges."
But members of the House Judiciary Committee didn't agree. After two members said drivers' license penalties should be connected to the act of driving — not smoking. Saunders' HB178 was soundly defeated.
The bill failed with only two yea votes. Saunders said he may try to resurrect the bill later.
Saunders, R-Weber, has battled tobacco use in a number of bills over the years. He has a separate bill this session that would restrict where grocery stores and other sellers of tobacco can place tobacco products.
Saunders' bill, as amended, would suspend a teenager's driver's license for three months after a second conviction for smoking, six months on the third conviction and a year for the fourth conviction.
In Utah no one younger than the age of 19 legally can use tobacco.
If the offending teen successfully completed a court-ordered anti-smoking course, he could get his license back. If he took blood tests over a 30-day period that showed he was tobacco-free, he could get his license back, the bill says.
Rep. Gary Cox, D-Kearns, a police officer, said he can understand tying the loss of drivers' licenses to the use of alcohol or other drugs that affect how a person can operate a vehicle. "But I see no connection between the offense (teenagers smoking) and the penalty in this bill," Cox said, adding smoking has nothing to do with safely driving a car.
Saunders admitted there is no direct connection, although it's possible that handling a lighted cigarette while driving could cause some hazards.
But kids would pay attention if the penalty is loss of a driver's license, much treasured by teenagers, Saunders said.
"When I was treated for cancer, it was unpleasant," said Saunders.
"Sometimes, you have to just cut it out. I see nothing wrong (in getting teenagers) to stop smoking if it has to hurt a little bit."
Utah has spent millions of dollars in advertising aimed at getting teenagers to never start or stop smoking. But juvenile use of tobacco is increasing with 30,000 Utah teenagers smoking regularly, Saunders said.
Marc Robb, a 19-year-old who said he's been smoking since he was 10, said he quit smoking three weeks ago. "I support this bill. This is a real problem and tough" to stop smoking.
But another man testified that teenagers who smoke are already rebelling against authority and society. "Are we going to make everyone criminals these days for actions we disapprove of? I think this bill just sets (teenagers) up to disrespect more of our laws."
Saunders said his intention is not to hurt but to help teens who smoke. "They are hooked. They are crying out for help and love."
But Rep. Lamont Tyler, R-East Millcreek, said since he's been in the Legislature there have been all kinds of bills that tried to get people to do something by taking away their driving privileges. "We had one bill that would take away the drivers' licenses of men who didn't pay child support."
Saunders' penalty doesn't fit the crime, he said.
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