On Thursday, the Wisconsin Assembly gave its approval to a bill that will raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products, e-cigarettes and vaping devices from 18 to 21-years-old, bringing it in line with the recently increased federal age.

The bill, AB 422, was introduced by Rep. John Spiros, R-Marshfield, as a way to allow state law enforcement agencies to enforce the new minimum age. It passed its third reading by a voice vote and now heads to the Senate for its consideration. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald has previously gone on record as saying that the chamber may consider the bill on its final session day in March.

Should it pass and be signed by the governor, it would go into effect on the first day of the seventh month after it has been published.

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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.