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Philadelphia mayor increases fine for selling cigarettes to minors

By Staff Writer

Nicotine addiction in families may persuade children to begin smoking themselves, but government officials are doing their part to make sure cigarettes don't fall into the wrong hands.

Recently, Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter rose fines for individuals who sell cigarettes to minors, according to WHYY News. After learning about the high smoking rate among local teens, the mayor decided to sign the legislation to reduce the number and encourage children to stay drug-free.

"We cannot allow our children to be the next generation of addicts facing a very certain future of illness and death," Nutter told the news source. "Smoking is not cool at all."

Councilwoman Marian Tasco helped write the bill, which will raise fines up to $2,000. Previously, merchants could be fined between $100 and $200 for providing cigarettes to minors under the age of 18.

Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Parents who educate their children on the dangers of smoking may be able to deter them from using the drug later in life.

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