Report: Congress Likely to Increase Minimum Age to Purchase Tobacco to 21

The United States Congress is poised to increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21.

According to a report from Politico, the increase is set to be included in Congress’ year-end spending bill. It’s unclear what version of the federal tobacco 21 law is set to be included.

There have been a variety of bills introduced in the past year by a bipartisan group of legislators.

• H.R. 2084 — Introduced by Rep. Robert Aderholt, R.-Ala.
• H.R. 2339 — Introduced by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., and Rep. Donna Shalala, D-Fla.
• H.R. 2411/S. 1258 — Introduced by Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., and Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah;  Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind.
• Tobacco-Free Youth Act — Introduced by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Tim Kaine, D-Va.

Earlier this month, there were indications that the federal tobacco 21 changes were to be included in legislation that would limit the costs of emergency medical care, however, that legislation seems increasingly unlikely to pass at this time.

There are 19 states who have increased the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21.