REGINA — It will be tougher for young people to buy cigarettes after new legislation was introduced following a province-wide survey of Saskatchewan youth.
The survey showed nearly 25 percent of girls aged 19 and under smoke. Almost half of young people who smoke started by age 13.
The survey also indicated that 70 percent favored a six-month probationary licence program for new drivers.
More than 2,000 students aged 12 to 19 responded to the written survey distributed by the province to high schools in February and March.
“Saskatchewan’s young people should be given credit for playing a vital role in decisions that affect them,” said associate health minister Lorne Calvert.
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Penalty for selling tobacco
The Young Persons and Tobacco Act will raise the legal age to buy tobacco from 18 to 19 and increase the penalty for anyone caught selling tobacco to minors. Young people will also have to show identification to buy tobacco products, just as for alcohol.
Another bill strengthens drinking and driving control measures for all drivers, but includes provisions for new drivers — usually teenagers.
Loss of licence
The length of time one remains a new driver hasn’t yet been determined. New drivers can lose their licence for 90 days if their blood alcohol readings are more than .04.
These bills won’t be made law until the next sitting of the legislature, but were introduced this session to allow for discussion.
Some of the other measures in the Highways and Vehicles Statutes Amendment Act are:
- Longer licence suspensions for those convicted of drinking and driving.
- Immediate 30-day impoundment of vehicles operated by people driving while suspended.
- Mandatory completion of a driving-without-impairment course before licence reinstatement for new drivers whose licences were previously suspended for 90 days.
