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Lawmakers light the way to raise the age to buy smoking products

Posted at 9:57 AM, May 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-21 10:11:58-04

LANSING, Mich. — A bipartisan plan just introduced on capitol hill is aimed at curbing the use of tobacco products and e-cigarettes among teens.

New bill would raise the age to purchase tobacco products.The bill would raise the national age from 18-years-old to 21-years-old to buy all tobacco products including to e-cigarettes.

The CDC says in 2018 1.5 million more high school or middle school students used e-cigarettes compared to 2017.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, who helped introduce the bill, says raising the age could significantly reduce the number of smoke related deaths.

Some lawmakers have called high school and middle school students smoking an epidemic.

Senator Mitch McConnell said, "Youth vaping is a public health crisis. It's our responsibility as parents and public servants to do everything we can to keep these harmful products out of high schools and out of youth culture. We need to put the national age of purchase at 21."

The Tobacco-Free Youth Act is expected to come up for a vote on the senate floor.

At least 14 states and hundreds of local governments have already raised the minimum age.

Cigarette and vaping giants like Juul are actively supporting the efforts to get their products out of teenager's hands.

Last week, News 10 reported about legislation nearing the governor's desk that would ban minors from using e-cigarettes in Michigan.

The state house approved bills that previously cleared the senate last week.

Michigan is just one of two states without its own restrictions on e-cigarettes.

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