South Carolina has joined the growing group of states that will be considering passing an increase to the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21-years-old this legislative session.

In the Palmetto State, H.B. 3451 was introduced by Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, and seeks to make 21 the minimum age for both the purchase and possession of tobacco products and tobacco alternatives such as e-cigarettes. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee where it is awaiting further action.

Also up for debate this session is H.B. 3274, which seeks to make tobacco laws a statewide matter and prohibit any other municipality in the state from passing its own laws. Rutherford is a co-sponsor of that bill as well.

Six states have already made 21 the minimum age to purchase tobacco products: Hawaii, California, Oregon, New Jersey, Maine and Massachusetts. Nearly a dozen other states currently have similar legislation being debated this session.

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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.