Minnesota House votes to raise age of sale on e-cigarettes to 21

Minnesotans under the age of 21 won’t be able to buy e-cigarettes under a proposal that has been approved by the U.S. state’s House of Representatives.

According to a story on grandforksherald.com, the proposal sets a statewide ban on selling tobacco and e-cigarette products to those younger than 21 and bars those under 21 from entering tobacco or vape shops. Businesses that sell vapor and tobacco products to those younger than 21 would face a $300 penalty after the first offense with higher fees on subsequent offenses. Those younger than 21 found buying vapor and tobacco products would face license suspensions and adults who furnish the products to them would face a $50 fine.

The federal government has hiked the minimum age of sale of vapor and tobacco products from 18 to 21, and local governments around the state have enacted similar ordinances in their communities. But the measures are not being enforced across the state, the bill’s supporters said.

“This statewide approach is necessary so we don’t have some Minnesota communities enforcing a state age of 18 while some are enforcing the age of 21,” Rep. Heather Edelson, D-Edina, said. “Our bill makes it clear there’s only one tobacco age in Minnesota and that is 21.”

The measure could come up for Senate consideration later this week. Smoking cessation advocates applauded the bill’s passage and said the bill could help prevent children and young people in Minnesota from becoming addicted to tobacco and e-cigarettes.