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:
News Outlets Sue, Judge Agrees: Washington Lawmaker Records Open To Public
A coalition of news outlets have won a partial victory in a public records lawsuit against the Washington Legislature. A judge in Thurston County said lawmakers are subject to the state’s public disclosure law. Continue Reading News Outlets Sue, Judge Agrees: Washington Lawmaker Records Open To Public Read More » Austin Jenkins January 19, 2018
Washington Lawmakers Reach Deal On $4.5 Billion Construction Budget (At Long Last)
After a months-long standoff, Washington lawmakers say they’ve reached a bipartisan deal on a thorny water rights issue that will pave the way for quick passage of a $4.5 billion capital construction budget that’s been held up since last spring. Continue Reading Washington Lawmakers Reach Deal On $4.5 Billion Construction Budget (At Long Last) Read More » Austin Jenkins January 18, 2018
Washington Lawmakers Propose $300 Million For Rural Broadband Access
While Washington lawmakers have vowed to protect net neutrality, thousands of people in rural communities still lack access to high speed internet. That may change if a big budget proposal goes through this year. Continue Reading Washington Lawmakers Propose $300 Million For Rural Broadband Access Read More » Enrique Pérez de la Rosa January 17, 2018