State Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s agency-request bill to raise the smoking age to 21 from 18 passed the House Health Care & Wellness Committee in a bipartisan 9-3 vote on Friday in Olympia.
“This legislation will literally save lives,” said Ferguson in a media release. “I thank legislators from both parties for standing with me to protect Washington youth from a life of addiction and tobacco-related health problems. The momentum for this common-sense reform is building.”
Last week, Ferguson held a press conference, where he was joined by Secretary of Health John Weisman, legislative co-sponsors and numerous other supporters to announce a poll showing two-thirds of Washingtonians support raising the sale age for tobacco and vapor products to 21. Stuart Elway conducted the poll, commissioned by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
House Bill 2313, sponsored by Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), will now head to the House Finance Committee.
The companion Senate bill, SB 6157, sponsored by Sen. Mark Miloscia (R-Federal Way), is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee on Monday, Feb. 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Voting for the bill were Reps. Eileen Cody (D-Seattle), Judy Clibborn (D-Mercer Island), Richard Debolt (R-Chehalis), Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma), Norm Johnson (R-Yakima), June Robinson (D-Everett), Shelly Short (R-Addy), Steve Tharinger (D-Sequim) and Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim).
Michelle Caldier (R-Port Orchard), Jim Moeller (D-Vancouver) and Joe Smick (R-Colfax) voted against the bill.
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