While a bill seeking to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21-years-old in New Hampshire stalled earlier this year, it has found new life as a late amendment to the state’s budget bill, which is entering its final week of hearings before heading to the desk of Gov. Chris Sununu.

The budget is scheduled to get a full vote by the legislature on Thursday. While the full text of the budget remains to be seen, the increase would likely go into effect on July 1, 2020.

Ohio is also going through a similar process, with Gov. Mike DeWine having included an increase to the minimum age to purchase tobacco in his government, something that has remained in the bill through the legislative process. That bill is also scheduled for final hearings this week.

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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 previously 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. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.