On Feb. 1, Rep. Ben Loring, D-Oklahoma City, will introduce HB 2317, a bill that would change the minimum age to possess or purchase tobacco from 18 to 21 in the state of Oklahoma.

The bill would amend Oklahoma’s current laws, meaning it would also be illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to have to handle tobacco as part of their job. Fines will remain the same: $100 for the first offense, up to $200 for the second and up to $300 for the third and any subsequent violation within a two-year period. In addition to the fine, any business caught in violation would potentially lose their license to sell tobacco.

The rules would also apply to vapor products.

On Jan. 1, Hawaii became the first state with a law requiring individuals to be 21 to purchase tobacco.

Avatar photo

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.