Not every state is signing on to the recently passed federal increase of the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21-years-old, as on Thursday the Idaho Senate rejected SB 1308, which would have brought the state’s law in line with the federal law.
The bill was defeated on its third reading, with 22 senators voting no and just 10 in support, with three absent from the vote. The bill sought to make it illegal for anyone under 21-years-old to to possess, receive, purchase, use, or consume tobacco products or electronic cigarettes or to attempt any of those activities. It would also be illegal to use a false identification or misleading statements relating to tobacco use or possession.
While many senators didn’t support tobacco use, several told KTVB.com that they didn’t like the government raising the age to 21-years-old and taking away the choice about whether or not to use tobacco from adults.
