Marines to Comply with Hawaii Smoking Law

Marines Will Comply with Hawaii Smoking Law

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Photo courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps[/caption]January 1 is new years day of course but it's also the day that most new laws take effect. Hawaii has a new law that starts on January 1 that is going to make it illegal to smoke if you are under the age of 21. The Marines announced that they will comply with the state's law and will enforce the law to ensure that any Hawaii-based Marines who are under the age of 21 are not doing something so dangerous as smoking a cigarette. Failure to comply with the law could open young Marines up to penalties both from the state of Hawaii and from the Marine Corps.From Military.com:Starting Jan. 1, Hawaii-based Marines will have to be 21 to smoke -- or they could face state and Marine Corps penalties.In an administrative message released today, Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Lt. Gen. Mark Brilakis announced the Corps would cooperate with a new Hawaii law that raises the minimum age to use or purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21. The law, signed in June, is intended to stop people from becoming habitual smokers. Hawaii officials have told media outlets that 99 percent of people who smoke start the habit before age 21.Brilakis said he was directing all stores aboard Marine Corps installations in Hawaii to stop selling tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco and electronic smoking devices, to anyone under 21. Marine Corps and Navy personnel and dependents, as well as other family members, guests and base residents, will be expected to comply with the new law, Brilakis said.

"Personnel cited by state and local police for violations of Hawaii's tobacco laws are subject to fines and community service imposed by the state," he said.

Read the rest at Military.com to find out what punishments could be levied against a young Marine who decides that the smoking lamp is still lit.Does this new state law make 29 Palms look any better than Kaneohe Bay?