State Lawmakers Look to Raise Minimum Age to Purchase Tobacco

Arkansas lawmakers have filed a bill that would raise the states minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21. House Bill 1519 would “Prohibit the sale of tobacco products, vapor products, alternative nicotine products, e-liquid products and cigarette papers” to those under 21 years of age. The bill would allow law enforcement and school officials to seize and dispose of any of the products mentioned in the bill. Also, if a minor commits a crime while in possession of any of the prohibited products, the courts can sentence the minor to community service and attendance in a tobacco education program.

The bill would not apply to those younger than 21 and who are in the military and can present a military I.D. card. Military personnel ages 18 years and older would still be allowed to buy the products.

Thomas Carr, the national director of policy at the American Lung Association, in a scolding of the Food and Drug Administration regarding the government lack of action regarding vaping, said the FDA is “putting the lives and health of Americans at risk”. Carr noted that there is a “staggering 78% increase among high school students and e-cigarettes use in 2017-18”.

The FDA is the arm of the federal government which regulates e-cigarettes. Carr said 20.8% of high school students in the United States are currently using e-cigarettes.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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