It’s a bipartisan effort, but is not yet final.
Congress is considering a measure to raise the federal age to purchase tobacco to 21 as part of the massive government funding bill expected to pass by week’s end.
The change would make it illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase vape products and e-cigarettes, as well as more traditional tobacco products, amid nationwide concern about increasing nicotine use among young people and the possible health risks of electronic cigarette products.
It’s unclear if the language will specifically address or add more restrictions to black-market e-cig products connected to lung injuries and illnesses, thought to be the result of inhaling Vitamin E acetate.
This is bipartisan legislation – coauthored by GOP Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah and Todd Young of Idaho, and Democratic Sens. Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Dick Durbin of Illinois — and supported by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Multiple states have adopted laws to raise the legal age to buy tobacco and retailers like Walmart, Walgreens, and Rite Aid have also said they will no longer sell to customers under 21.
Vaping industry advocates have supported raising the legal age to buy tobacco amid criticism that e-cigarette companies targeted minors with marketing materials on social media and flavored products.
The Trump administration was set to ban flavored vapes and e-cigarette products earlier this year but has since delayed any announcement of how it would enforce a ban and whether it would include all flavors, specifically menthol or mint.
