April 5, 2001

 

HOUSE EXECUTIVE MESSAGE NO. 66

 

 

The Honorable Ben Lujan and

Members of the House of Representatives

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

 

Honorable Speaker and Members of the House:

 

I have this day VETOED and am returning HOUSE BILL 318, as amended,

enacted by the Forty-Fifth Legislature, First Session, 2001.

 

This bill prohibits the use of cigarette vending machines and other tobacco self-service methods in businesses accessible to minors.  Although I fully support efforts to reduce tobacco use among New Mexico’s children, this bill does not provide an effective strategy to accomplish this worthy goal.  It would instead place a tremendous burden on this state’s small business community, especially those tobacco vendors who are ill equipped to restrict access to their establishments.

 

 

Sincerely,         

 

 

          Gary E. Johnson         

Governor         

 

RECEIVED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR:

 

Time: _____________________                By:_____________________________

                                                                     Secretary of State

Date ______________________             

 

 

Time:______________________

 

Date_______________________               By:_____________________________

                                                                     Chief Clerk of the House     

                                                                                  Hem66hb318v