Bill to Increase Minimum Tobacco Purchasing Age to 25 Dies in Hawaii House

A bill that would have increased the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 21- to 25-years-old has died in the Hawaii House of Representatives.

H.B. 2507 would have once again made Hawaii the most restrictive state to buy tobacco products in the U.S. The bill was introduced by Rep. Richard Creegan, D-5, and Rep. John Mizuno, D-28. It passed its first House Committee but failed to get to its final Committee by Feb. 14, the deadline for new legislation in Hawaii.

There is a chance that the measure could still be introduced during this session, but it would have to be through a different form.

If passed, those under 25-years-old caught purchasing tobacco products would be fined $50 for a first offense and $100 for subsequent offenses. Those caught selling tobacco products to individuals under 25 would be fined $500 for a first offense and could be fined up to $2,000.