Virginia Considers Higher Smoking Age

RICHMOND. Va. – In a state that has been growing tobacco since the Jamestown Colony, a bi-partisan group of lawmakers in the House and Senate have sponsored legislation that would raise the smoking and vaping age to 21, the Washington Post reports.

“Certainly we have a history of tobacco . . . that really dates back to 1608,” said Del. Christopher P. Stolle. “We adapt as we move forward, and we recognize it’s something that needs to be done. We certainly are a product of our history, but I don’t think we’re bound by our history.”

The Altria Group is in favor of the measure as one way to halt minors from vaping, said spokesman David Sutton. Altria recently purchased a 35% share in Juul Labs. “While tobacco use among persons under 18 is at historic lows, underage e-vapor use has increased alarmingly and [the] FDA has characterized this trend as an epidemic,” Sutton said. “Tobacco harm reduction for adults cannot succeed without effective measures to reduce underage use of all tobacco products. The best approach to achieving this goal is simple: raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 21. We fully support the Virginia legislature acting now to raise the minimum age.”

The bills have the support of state House and Senate leadership, although Gov. Ralph Northam has not indicated whether he supports the legislation. As a state senator, Northam successfully banned smoking in the commonwealth’s restaurants.

“We figured Governor Northam would be on board because that would be down his alley with being a pediatrician,” said House Speaker Kirk Cox. “I’ve talked with Altria. They say they’re supportive. I had a direct conversation with them. So we’ll see how it goes. I’m pretty optimistic, but you know how this process works.”

Currently, six states, Washington, D.C., and numerous localities have raised the tobacco buying age to 21 and older. A similar bill in Illinois recently couldn’t get past the governor’s veto.