The Massachusetts House has approved raising from 18 to 21 the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes and other tobacco or vaping products across the entire state.
The bill cleared the House on Wednesday by an overwhelming 146-4 vote, and now moves to the Senate.
Supporters say more than 70 percent of Massachusetts residents already live in cities and towns where you have to be 21 to buy tobacco.
Lawmakers set to vote on raising the #smoking age to 21. Follow @crystalhaynes for updates on the House of Representatives discussion. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/cIa2YBEHAO
— Chetan Rakieten (@chetanrakieten) May 9, 2018
Rep. McMurtry of #Dedham addressing chamber in favor of bill that raising smoking/vaping age to 21. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/Agi4v6rxTk
— Crystal Haynes (@crystalhaynes) May 9, 2018
PREVIOUS: Lawmakers to vote Wednesday on bill aimed at raising statewide smoking age
The legislation aimed at discouraging teens from taking up smoking would also ban vaping on school grounds and other public places, and prohibit tobacco sales in pharmacies.
The bill would not make it a crime for people under age 21 to use tobacco.
Five other states — California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey and Oregon — have Tobacco 21 laws.
Associated Press
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/2DRBVTNXJBF3HDQ4ASNMVGSIQQ.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/M7XLU5BEQVGPRNBJVTIE7BB464.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/DPCDKK6YTFDOZMJYCNGBMXUWWA.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/P7OH7K23LFCNNIHTTKUQR4U3HA.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QKIU6WUQVV2PVA5YE6CCCJANM.jpg)