Idaho Senate Passes 21 Age-to-Purchase E-Cigs Bill
Credit: Devin Allphin
The state Senate of Idaho narrowly passed a bill meant to clarify the legal age for vaping and tobacco product purchases with a 19-15 vote Tuesday.
Under federal law, people must be 21 or older to legally purchase or possess tobacco or vaping products. Congress raised the age limit from 18 to 21 in 2019. Idaho law, however, still lists 18 as the legal age for tobacco purchases.
Senate Bill 1284 changes that to 21, bringing Idaho law into symmetry with federal law, according to news reports.
Sen. Fred Martin, the bill’s sponsor, said the disparity between state and federal law causes confusion for Idaho retailers. Although they’re required to comply with the federal age limit, the signs they have to post indicate that 18 is the minimum age under state law.