Florida Considers Higher Smoking Age
The bills would lift the minimum smoking age to 21 but exempt active-duty military personnel.
Apr 15, 2019
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With the support of Altria Group, Florida is the latest state to consider raising the minimum tobacco buying age to 21, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Several bills also would increase the age for medical marijuana patients needing parental consent to 21.
The proposals would carve out an exception for active-duty military personnel, as well as prohibit localities from enacting different minimum tobacco use ages. In addition, the measures also would prevent any local ordinances that regulate tobacco marketing or sales.
“We believe now is the time. FDA is calling underage e-vapor use an epidemic,” Altria CEO Howard Willard said on the company’s website. “Today, the No. 1 way kids get tobacco products is through social access, meaning the purchase of tobacco products by someone of legal age for use by minors. Raising the minimum age nationally to 21 should go a long way to solving that problem.”
Maryland legislators recently passed a bill that raises its minimum age to 21, but the governor has yet to sign it. Six other states and the District of Columbia have restricted the sale of tobacco to those 21 and older. Five other states have similar laws that will go into effect by 2021.
