An increase to the minimum age to purchase tobacco products in Topeka, Kan. that was slated to go into effect on Thursday has been put on hold, as a judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the city that will prevent the increase.
Shawnee Co. Judge Franklin Theis issued the order on Thursday according to a report by WIBW.com. The increase is being challenged by a pair of e-cigarette retailers, The Vape Bar and Puffs-N-Stuff, while getting legal support from the Kansas Vaping Association.
The Topeka City Council approved the increase on Dec. 4, passing it by an 8-2 margin. It made Topeka the 19th municipality in the state to pass what’s known as a “Tobacco 21” ordinance, with the capital city joining a list headlined by Kansas City. The ordinance did not prohibit the possession of tobacco and e-cigarettes by persons between 18 and 20-years-old.
A hearing has been set for Feb. 1, and the minimum age to purchase tobacco will remain at 18-years-old until the hearing is completed.
Topeka is home to approximately 127,000 residents.