These new laws will hit the books on Friday in Florida – Wink News

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF)

A series of new laws will hit the books Friday after being passed during the legislative session that ended in April. Many new laws took effect July 1, the start of the state fiscal year.

Topping the list is a bill (HB 1080) that creates a state regulatory framework for the sale of electronic cigarettes. Among other things, the bill will raise the states legal age to vape and smoke tobacco to 21, a threshold already established in federal law.

House bill sponsor Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa, said before the measure was approved that it was necessary to stop youth vaping.

But it drew opposition from prominent health groups, in part because it will prevent local regulations on such things as the marketing and sale of vaping products and tobacco.

Groups including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association unsuccessfully implored Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto the measure.

By blocking the power of elected officials at the local level to protect kids and failing to take any meaningful action at the state level we risk another generation addicted to deadly tobacco products and the illness and premature death that come as a result, the groups said.

Among the other new laws taking effect Friday:

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These new laws will hit the books on Friday in Florida - Wink News