Washington’s Tobacco Purchasing Age is Now 21

As the clock struck midnight and revelers rang in the new year, the minimum age to purchase tobacco products in Washington increased from 18 to 21-years-old and the Evergreen State officially joined the Tobacco 21 movement, a change that comes amidst the FDA announcing that the federal age went up to 21 when President Trump signed a spending bill in December.

The legislature passed the increase this past spring, with Gov. Jay Inslee signing it in April. The bill, H.B. 1074, passed by the Senate by a 33-12 vote and the House of Representatives by a tally of 66-30. It does not make any changes to the age to possess or use tobacco, leaving that at 18-years-old, and it does not affect sales on military installations,. It will also not seek a penalty for possession of tobacco products by a person under 21-years-old.

Washington is one of nearly 20 states that have passed Tobacco 21 legislation, though with the federal change that list won’t likely to grow unless something changes. The federal change notwithstanding, with Washington’s age increase going into effect, the entire west coast of the United States has made 21 the minimum age to purchase tobacco, as increases in Oregon and California have already gone into effect.