Indiana Statehouse leaders support raising smoking age to 21

There looks to be new momentum in efforts to raise the age for tobacco use in Indiana and, eventually, to raise taxes on tobacco products in an effort to curb their use.

Leaders from both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly voiced support for raising the legal age for tobacco use – including smoking and vaping – to 21 during the Indiana Chamber’s annual legislative priorities event. Raising the smoking age and increasing taxes on tobacco products has been a long-standing chamber priority.

House Speaker Brian Bosma, who previously opposed raising the tobacco-use age, said Monday that he now supports the move, as does a majority of the House Republican caucus.

“It seems to me to be the right thing to do,” Bosma said, "and the right time to do it."

Read more: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2019/11/18/indiana-statehouse-leaders-support-raising-smoking-age-21/4178326002/