Bill increasing tobacco age introduced

BOISE — A bill that would raise the age to purchase and use tobacco products to 21-years-old in Idaho was approved for consideration by a Senate panel Jan. 31.

If the bill becomes law, Idaho would be the sixth state to raise the smoking age to 21. California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey and Oregon have made the age 21. Utah has made the age 19 and has tried several times to raise the age to 21.

The bill was proposed by Sen. Fred Martin, R-Boise, who had similar legislation last session. The Senate State Affairs committee moved to print this year’s bill without debate.

It must now be heard before a public hearing.

Kyle Pfannenstiel covers the 2018 Idaho Legislature for the University of Idaho McClure Center for Public Policy Research.