Indiana to Consider Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase

Indiana state legislators will debate the idea of raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21-years-old this session after the introduction of S.B. 425 recently.

The bill, which is sponsored by Sens. Randall Head, R-18, and James Merritt, R-31, would increase the age which a person must be to either sell or buy tobacco products or e-liquids and electronic cigarettes containing nicotine, as well as to enter designated smoking areas of a club or cigar specialty store. However, both come with exemptions for persons who are at least 18 years of age on June 30, 2019 or are currently serving in the armed forces or reserves or a veteran discharged or separated from service in the armed forces or reserves under conditions other than dishonorable.

It would also make it illegal for a person under 18 to buy or possess e-liquids or electronic cigarettes that do not contain nicotine.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services. The bill would go into effect on July 1 should it pass.

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. I previously covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.