Florida Senators Want To Deter Young Smokers
A Senate committee on Monday, Mar. 25 approved a bill that would increase the minimum smoking age in the state from 18 to 21. The proposal (SB 1618), filed by Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, aims to increase the minimum age to legally possess tobacco products including electronic smoking devices in the definition of tobacco. It also prohibits the sale of tobacco products from vending machines.
If approved, the bill also would decriminalize selling tobacco to minors — a noncriminal penalty of a fine of no more than $500 for the first offense and a fine up to $1,000 for the second or subsequent offense.
Although smoking rates have declined in the United States, e-cigarette use has increased since 2014.
So far, seven states have increased the smoking age: California, New Jersey, Oregon, Hawaii, Maine and Massachusetts, and, effective July 1, Virginia.
Although Florida lawmakers have considered raising the smoking age in the past, the idea had yet to be approved.
Even though the Senate Health Policy Committee backed the bill, it could face some roadblocks in the coming weeks. Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Chairman Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, said he despises smoking and the effects of second-home smoke, but opposes the bill because “we have to let kids and adults make their own decisions.”
By: Maytinee Kramer
