Congressional Push To Raise Smoking Age Comes From Tobacco States
McConnell is proposing raising the legal age for tobacco from 18 to 21
For generations, tobacco powered Kentucky’s economy. While the industry is withering in the Bluegrass State, it continues to pay addiction’s deadly price. The unlikeliest of reformers are calling for change in Washington.
Over his long career, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) fought cigarette tax hikes, and tougher penalties for Big Tobacco, but now, the country’s most-powerful Senator believes a divided Congress can help the country kick one of its deadliest habits. “I recognize I might seem like an unusual candidate to lead this charge,” he said while addressing his colleagues on the Senate floor.
McConnell is proposing raising the legal age for tobacco products from 18 to 21. He’s teamed up with another improbable tobacco state politician – Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia. McConnell says the pairing shows Congressional gridlock can be overcome. “We can do things together that are important for the country,” McConnell said in a recent one-on-one interview.
Here’s what McConnell said swayed him:
– e-cigarettes are hooking another generation on nicotine.
– Kentucky has a fraction of the tobacco farms it did 20 years ago.
– The Bluegrass State, is home to the highest rate of deaths from lung cancer in the country.
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