Kansas is raising the legal age to buy cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products from 21 to 18, after the federal government and most other states have already done so.
The state Senate on Tuesday approved a bill to raise the age by a vote of 28-11, sent by Gov. Laura Kelly. The House approved it earlier this month by a vote of 68-53.
Kelly has not said whether he will sign the bill, but officials from the state Department of Revenue and Department of Aging and Disability Services endorsed the measure. Public health officials believe that raising the age to purchase tobacco products will reduce their use and the resulting health costs.
US SUPREME COURT WILL NOT REVIEW GOP-CONTROLLED KANSAS CONGRESSIONAL MAP
Kansas lawmakers are moving to raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco products in the state.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death, disease and disability in the US, and nine out of 10 adults smoke by age 18.
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Another 41 states have raised the legal age to 21, including tobacco-producing states Kentucky and Virginia. The federal government raised the age to 21 in 2019 and told states they would have to set a higher age to receive federal funds for substance abuse programs.