State Lawmakers Debate Smoking Age Limits
Kentucky keeps minimum smoking age at 18, but Tennessee considers raising to 21.
Feb 28, 2019
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Lawmakers in Kentucky, one of the largest tobacco-producing states, have rebuffed a proposal to raise the smoking age to 21, according to Newsobserver.com.
This week, the Kentucky Senate Agriculture Committee voted down a bill that would have banned the sale of all tobacco and vaping products to anyone under 21. Opponents to the bill argued that 18 is the age when Americans can register to vote and join the military, so 18-year-olds should be able to make smoking decisions for themselves.
This year, Altria, one of the world's largest tobacco companies, has campaigned to raise the smoking age to 21, an effort that has been most pronounced in tobacco-producing states. This month, Virginia, another traditional tobacco power, became the seventh state to raise the minimum smoking age to 21.
The Kentucky bill was sponsored by Republican Steve Meredith, who argued for the bill based on health reasons. While the vote was a setback for anti-smoking advocates, it’s possible that lawmakers could try to vote on the bill again before adjourning next month.
Meanwhile in neighboring Tennessee, lawmakers are trying to raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco or vaping products from 18 to 21, according to the Washington Times.
Tennessee has comparatively low cigarette taxes, and it’s estimated that the bill would cost the state $7 million annually through lost tax revenues. Reeves said it will save the state on health-care costs for tobacco users.
