Enforce smoking laws in Fresno

More than ever, we need to be aware of what behaviors and societal pressures surround our loved ones. We need to be more knowledgeable and educated about the leading factors of a poor lifestyle; whether it’s related to vaping electronic cigarettes, the new substitute for smoking, or consuming alcoholic beverages in higher potency of percent alcohol as examples.

We need to create a similar solution like the minor-decoy program for alcohol but for tobacco products in the city of Fresno.

A child who smokes will more than likely carry on negative behaviors into adulthood and beyond because of the social triggers during their youth. I am glad that California voters raised the smoking age to 21 to combat the issue of tobacco use during adolescence.

It should significantly reduce future likelihood of new young smokers. However, we need enforcement of the policy.

I urge our local council members to invest in our future by allowing for programs like the tobacco retail licensing ordinances to thrive in our county and bring success like Firebaugh, Parlier and Fowler into the Fresno community. After all, why risk the future health of our children, family, friends and neighbors?

This story was originally published June 22, 2016 at 10:22 AM with the headline "Enforce smoking laws in Fresno."