Washington May Raise Minimum Age To Buy Tobacco
Listen
Young smokers in Washington may have trouble getting a pack of cigarettes in the near future. State Lawmakers are considering raising the minimum age to buy tobacco and vapor products from 18 to 21. The bill was introduced at the request of Attorney General Bob Ferguson who testified in favor of it Monday.
“No bill in Olympia this session will save more lives than increasing the legal smoking age to 21,” said Ferguson. “In fact, based on current smoking trends 8,500 kids alive in Washington state today will be saved from a premature death if the legislature enacts tobacco 21.”
This is the third year legislators have considered raising the minimum legal smoking age. In 2015, Hawaii became the first state to set the legal age at 21. Four other states including Oregon have followed. The penalty for selling or giving tobacco or vapor products to a minor is unchanged in the proposal. It would remain a gross misdemeanor under Washington state law.
Copyright 2018 Northwest News Network
Related Stories:
Washington police pursuit rules to change after Legislature adopts 3 voter initiatives
By: Jeanie Lindsay, Northwest News Network After hours of public speeches, the Washington Legislature decided Monday to once again make changes to the state rules around police car chases. Lawmakers… Continue Reading Washington police pursuit rules to change after Legislature adopts 3 voter initiatives
Here’s why WA Democrats passed 3 Republican-backed voter initiatives
By: Jeanie Lindsay / NW News Network A majority of lawmakers in the Washington Legislature decided Monday to approve three voter initiatives, after weeks of uncertainty and plenty of tense… Continue Reading Here’s why WA Democrats passed 3 Republican-backed voter initiatives
Agricultural overtime law still causing controversy
Farmworkers, farmers and advocates gathered at two events – all working to get lawmakers’ attention about the agriculture overtime law. An annual tribunal defended farmworkers’ rights and the overtime law. A separate rally focused on the negative impacts of it. Continue Reading Agricultural overtime law still causing controversy
