O.C. PLATFORM : Ban of Little Merit
Will the actions of the City Council stop kids from smoking? Probably not.
Will this action cut down the smoke in public places? Maybe.
Will the banning of these ugly machines improve the visual environment of the city? Most definitely.
In any event, the reality of the board’s actions make the well-intentioned ban far-fetched and unrealistic. If minors can’t get cigarettes from a vending machine, chances are they’ll be able to get them at the corner market. If the city is truly intent on preventing minors from smoking, then I believe it should enforce the laws that are already in place. Like alcohol, if a store is guilty of selling alcoholic beverages to minors, the store owner must face the consequences. The laws are already there to prevent minors from buying cigarettes. The enforcement of the law seems much more appropriate, logical and cost efficient than prohibiting cigarette machines.
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