While Eagle County approved an ordinance raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21-years-old this week, the county seat of Eagle rejected a similar proposal, as well as a proposal to increase the tax on tobacco and nicotine products.
During the meeting, one member of the Board of Trustees called the age increase a diversion that was just shifting the problem to a different age instead of dealing with the usage of tobacco and nicotine products. The issue ended up splitting the board, with three members in favor and four opposed, and leaving Eagle as one of the few cities in the area not to join the Tobacco 21 movement.
Additionally, VailDaily.com reports that the board rejected a proposed increase to the purchase price of tobacco and nicotine products, though the item didn’t appear on the board’s agenda.
Eagle is home to just under 7,000 residents. The town is located 125 miles west of Denver.