February 14, 2019 Patrick Lagreid Age Restrictions,  Regulations

Virginia Legislators Send Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase to Governor

Virginia will likely join a small but growing group of states to raise the minimum age to purchase, possess and use tobacco products to 21-years-old, as a pair of bills have passed the legislature and are now headed to Gov. Ralph Northam for his signature.

And in case the governor does decide to veto the bills, they will return to the legislature where they were approved easily, seemingly with enough to override a veto attempt should a vote be needed.

While they both increase the minimum age for purchase and possession of tobacco and e-cigarettes, the two bills contain some slight differences; H.B. 2748 contains an exemption for active military personnel, leaving the minimum age for those individuals to purchase tobacco products at 18-years-old, while S.B. 1727 does not contain that provision.

Assuming the bill becomes law, Virginia will join Hawaii, California, Oregon, New Jersey, Maine and Massachusetts as states to make 21 the minimum age to purchase tobacco products. That group could grow again this year as roughly 20 states are considering similar legislation.

SB 1727 Tobacco 21 tobacco purchasing age Virginia
Avatar photo

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.

Related Posts