Mae Flexer

Scotland Elementary’s Sixth Grade Class Goes to Hartford to Fight Tobacco

Senator Mae Flexer (D-Danielson) testified with the sixth grade class from Scotland Elementary School in support of raising the legal age to purchase tobacco to 21 at the State Capitol Tuesday.

This year, the legislature’s Public Health Committee raised Senate Bill 164, An Act Raising the Legal Age to Purchase Tobacco to Twenty-one. The entire class prepared individual written testimony in support of the bill and three students read their testimonies in front of the committee during the public hearing.

“All across the country, we are seeing the impact our youth can have in changing polices and making a positive impact in their communities. These students from Scotland Elementary are a perfect example of that. They saw a problem and they made their voices heard.” Sen. Flexer said. “I am so proud of their efforts and look forward to continuing working with them to prevent tobacco use throughout our state. Testifying with these students and fighting tobacco use with them was one of my proudest moments as a state senator.”

Mrs. Shcenk’s sixth-grade class invited Sen. Flexer to the Scotland Elementary to the school to talk with her about smoking and its impact on people’s health. The students presented several of their ideas, including raising the smoking age and prohibiting smoking in cars with children, state beaches, near schools, and other public places.Sen. Flexer and the students have since been working together to pass new policies that combat tobacco use.

In addition to raising the age to purchase tobacco, the bill raises the age to purchase electronic nicotine delivery systems (e-cigarettes) to 21. Anyone who turns 18 prior to October 1, 2018 is exempt.

The deadline for the committee to vote on the bill is Wednesday, March 28, 2018.