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Legislation raising age to purchase tobacco products passes Delaware Senate

Sarah Mueller
/
Delaware Public Media

The Delaware Senate approved legislation raising the age to purchase tobacco products.

The bill sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Bryan Townsend passed by a 14-6 margin. It would bar people under the age of 21 from buying cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products.

It wouldn’t penalize people under 21 for attempting to purchasing these items, but retailers would get a fine if they sell to them.

Townsend says his bill aims to curb smoking rates and save health care costs. But State Sen. Colin Bonini says once a someone is an adult, they have a right to make decisions on what they buy.

“You’re old enough to vote, you’re old enough to sign legally-binding contracts, you’re old enough to join the military and protect our freedoms in the four corners of the world, but I don’t think you’re mature enough to buy cigarettes.”

Under Townsend’s bill, 18 year-olds would still be legally allowed to smoke cigarettes and use other tobacco products, but they couldn’t lawfully buy them in the state.

Townsend says in terms of enforcement, it’s more effective to focus on sales to try to reduce smoking rates.

“Rather than try to have an enforcement mechanism that’s not really shown to work well and certainly be efficient, you know focus on possession. Just focus on the sale point and if people happen to get it or buy it legally in other states, so be it.”

The version of the bill the Senate passed has some changes from the original.

It would now take effect 90 days after the governor signs it onto law. It grandfathers in current employees of vape shops who are under 21 years old so they can keep their jobs. The bill now heads to the House.

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