State Senate Panel Approves Raising Age To 21 For Tobacco, Vaping Products
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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) - In an effort to crack down on underage smoke and vaping, a state Senate panel has passed a bill that would raise the minimum age from 18 to 21 to purchase or possess tobacco and vaping products.
The Senate Health Policy Committee voted in favor of the measure Monday. In addition to raising the minimum age to 21, the bill also prevents the sale of tobacco and vaping products in vending machines and substitutes non-criminal fines for criminal penalties for those who sell or provide these products to underage people.
Supporters say the measure would align Florida's age limit for alcohol, tobacco and vaping and would help prevent younger adults from getting these products. Opponents object to placing new restrictions on legal-age adults and say vaping can help many people quit smoking riskier tobacco.
The bill moves to a pair of other Senate committees.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)