EN>It is seldom used and not real effective but there is some enforcement.
  >I failed to mention that Texas has, in the last legislative session (our
  >legislators only meet every other year so they do have the damages of
  >some legislators), passed a new law which prohibits those under the age
  >of eighteen from possessing tobacco products (that includes smokeless
  >tobacco which is a real problem for younger people).
It is a problem everywhere and is becoming a bigger problem.  I simply
don't understand it either.  It is a nasty and most inconvenient habit
to say the least.
However, I won't campaign against smokeless tobacco.  It will never be a
problem for me.  That is selfish, I guess, but I'm a firm believer that
someone should have the right to do with his own person, whatever he
wishes.  If some idiot wants to dribble snuff drippings down his own
shirt, let him.  So, in the process he creates a case of gum cancer for
himself.... well, thats his choice.  As long as he doesn't spit it on my
carpet, I have no beef.
As for children, there should be laws to prevent them from doing
something harmful to themselves until they are of the age to take
the responsibility for making wrong decisions.  I believe, however, that
the laws should be focused on those adults that take advantage of
childhood for their own profit, rather than the child who falls victim
to them.  It is the parents job to teach the child, not the law.
  >The penalty is
  >interesting.  It includes a small fine (I think the upper limit is $100)
  >and attendance at a class on tobacco effects.  Failure to attend the
  >class can result in the persons drivers license being suspended.  I
  >haven't seen any of these cases in our court yet.
I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the idea of removing driving
privileges as leverage to enforce some unrelated law, but I guess it is
effective.  I've lived in areas where driver's licenses were suspended
for high school truancy.  It kept kids in school, but still, I'm not a
firm believer that the end justifies the means.
I applaud a law that forces education onto anyone who uses tobacco
illegally.  Denial of the true effects of tobacco is the root of the
problem (IMO) we have with its use.
Thanks for the info.
Ron
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