McConnell, Kaine Introduce Bill To Raise Nationwide Age On Tobacco Products
McConnell had previously announced his intent to sponsor the bill
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Monday that he and Sen. Tim Kaine have filed a bipartisan bill to raise the nationwide age to buy tobacco products to 21. Spurred by what experts say is explosive growth in youth use of electronic, or e-cigarettes, the senators — both from states with a long history of tobacco farming — say the intent is to keep all such products out of the hands of young people.
“The latest threat … is an epidemic among teenagers and even middle school students using tobacco products and vaping,” McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said in a telephone interview. “It includes nicotine and runs the risk of hooking these children at a very early age to a lifetime of using tobacco products.”
McConnell had already announced his intent to sponsor the so-called “Tobacco 21” legislation at a news conference last month in Louisville, Kentucky, citing his concern about rising youth rates of e-cigarettes that contain high doses of nicotine, the addictive drug derived from tobacco.
To Read The Rest Of This Article On USA Today, Click Here
