Add Rhode Island to the list of states that could raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products and nicotine delivery products to 21, as State Rep. Teresa Tanzi, D-South Kingstown & Narragansett, introduced such an idea in late January.

House Bill 5225 is only two pages long and simply changes Section 11-9-13 of the General Laws to reflect the proposed new age, with the increase to go into effect immediately upon passage. Following its introduction it was referred to the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, where it currently awaits action.

Four of Tanzi’s colleagues in the state House of Representatives have already signed on as co-sponsors.

Rhode Island joins the scrum of states vying for which one will be the first to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21, as Washington, California, Utah, New York and New Jersey all have active legislation.

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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 Major League Baseball, 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.