ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 8, 1997 TAG: 9703100043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: ROBERT LITTLE
Gov. George Allen said Friday he can't wait for state ABC agents to enforce Virginia's anti-smoking laws. So he's asking that they do it three months earlier than planned.
When the General Assembly meets April 2 to consider vetoes and amendments the governor makes to legislation, Allen will ask members to give ABC agents power to enforce smoking laws immediately. A bill that passed the legislature this year giving agents the new authority won't take effect until July 1.
"Our administration is committed to enforcing laws against underage smoking," Allen said in a news release Friday afternoon.
"We have taken positive steps to toughen Virginia's laws against selling tobacco products to children. This legislation is another attempt toward strengthening and enforcing those laws."
When the law takes effect, agents for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will enforce Virginia's law prohibiting the sale of tobacco to minors. Violators can be fined $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $500 for the third.
LENGTH: Short : 30 linesby CNB