States debate upping the legal smoking age to 21

WASHINGTON – While a growing number of states have turned their attention to marijuana legalization, another proposal has been quietly catching fire — raising the legal age to buy cigarettes.

This summer, Hawaii became the first state to approve increasing the smoking age from 18 to 21 starting Jan 1. A similar measure passed the California Senate, but stalled in the Assembly. And nearly a dozen other states have considered bills this year to boost the legal age for buying tobacco products.

“It really is about good public health,” said Democratic Hawaii state Sen. Rosalyn Baker, who sponsored the legislation. “If you can keep individuals from beginning to smoke until they’re at least 21, then you have a much greater chance of them never becoming lifelong smokers.”

http://www.startribune.com/states-debate-upping-the-legal-smoking-age-to-21/332947001/