While many states are considering increasing their tobacco purchasing age from 18 to 21, the Nebraska legislature is currently taking up legislation that would increase the purchasing age to 19.

In January, Sen. Dan Quick, D-35, introduced L.B. 149, which would have increased the purchasing age for vapor products from 18 to 21, but left the minimum age to purchase traditional tobacco products at 18. In March, the General Affairs Committee passed amendments to Quick’s bill, changing the increase from 18 to 21, but having it apply to all tobacco and vapor products.

Yesterday, the bill passed its first vote 40-0 with nine not voting.

Nebraska is unique in that it has a unicameral legislature, meaning there is only one house instead of the traditional upper and lower bodies.

Alabama and Alaska have also set their age restrictions at 19. Previously, Utah also required those purchasing tobacco to be 19.

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Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.