Sen. McConnell Wants To Raise Nationwide Age Limit For Tobacco And Vaping Products To 21
He has stated he intends to introduce the bill next month
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday that he will introduce a bill in the Senate next month to raise the nationwide minimum age for buying tobacco products and vaping devices from 18 to 21.
The proposal comes as 12 states and 450 localities, such as New York City, Boston, Chicago and San Antonio, have already raised the age for smoking and vaping to 21.
Republican McConnell announced his plans at a joint news conference in his tobacco-producing home state of Kentucky with Ben Chandler, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, and two state legislators.
McConnell said he had heard from parents about an “unprecedented spike” in vaping among teenagers, as well as those who struggled to quit smoking as adults after starting at a young age. “Unfortunately, it’s reaching epidemic levels around the country,” McConnell said.
McConnell’s office noted that Kentucky leads the nation with 34% of cancers tied directly to smoking.
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