My name is Jeanette Dahma owner of Fusion Hookah Lounge in Chico CA. I am writing this petition out of concern to the new bill that was passed to increase the smoking age to 21. The first day this law took affect we lost 70% of our revenue. Not only will this affect our business, but it will also affect 1000's more statewide. A decrease in revenue will cause a major domino affect; not only will this cause businesses to shut down, it will also decrease the sales tax revenue along with state and federal tax revenue at the end of the year for California. Secondly, 76% of the international students come to California for higher education. Due to this law many if not most will defer from coming to California thus creating more loss of revenue for the state. Most of the Middle Eastern countries do not have strict laws like we have on smoking or alcohol. This law will be unacceptable to them because it is not part of their social norm. Finally, hookah lounges are a safe haven for many young adults that do not have the privilege of going to night clubs or bars due to age restriction; taking away their right to smoke not only jeopardizes their only means of social gatherings, but will also jeopardize their safety. Due to the lack of social gatherings for age groups 18-20 in our area, they will more likely go to house parties thus putting them in more danger. They will be subject to drugs, alcohol, violence, possible rape and even deaths that occur at such events. Our lounge was a second home to many of these young adults. I had a chance to keep them safe and out of danger. Now that this law passed you are putting these young youths in harms way and will eventually increase crime rates. In conclusion, I feel that this law is not only unfair but disruptive and will cause a major financial loss to the state of California. The loss of revenue from businesses, the deferment of the international students, the loss of jobs and the possibility of families going bankrupt will put this state in more debt. If a person is old enough to vote, die for their country, acumulate debt, sign binding contracts, get tried as an adult and can purchase a gun, I believe they are old enough to make the choice to smoke. This law is completely unconstitutional according to the 14th amendment under "The Equal Protection Law" clause. Lastly, all hookah lounges, tobacco shops and vape shops must come together and have a class action suit against this law. When our businesses start closing down, who is going to pay the rest of our lease, car payments, mortgage and so on. We need to unite as one. Sincerely, Jeanette Dahma Fusion Hookah Lounge