Legislature approves bill raising state smoking, vaping age to 21

The Washington State Senate voted Wednesday in favor of a bill raising the age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 years old, and now it heads to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk to be signed into law.

RELATED: Skagit County mulls ban on smoking, vaping in public areas

The bipartisan bill — sponsored by Republican Rep. Paul Harris and Democratic Rep. Patty Kuderer —  passed the Senate 33-12. It was previously approved by the state House of Representatives 66-30 back on Feb. 20.

Gov. Inslee has already expressed that he will sign the bill — once he does, it will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

“By passing this bill, the Legislature is saving thousands of Washingtonians from a lifetime of addiction and smoking-related illnesses,” said State Attorney General Bob Ferguson in a news release. “Because 18- to 20-year-olds supply younger teens with tobacco and vape products, this will reduce the number of cigarettes and vape products in our high schools, which will lead to fewer kids getting addicted.

Washington is the 9th state to raise the smoking and vaping age to 21, joining California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, and Virginia.

Others voiced their support for the bill shortly after it was passed.

“The American Lung Association in Washington recognizes Washington for taking this important step to protect public health and our youth and young adults,” said Carrie Nyssen, Senior Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association in Washington.

While the bill did have a Republican co-sponsor, not everyone in the party agreed with the measure.

“Either this body is going to say ‘yes you are an adult and you’re intelligent enough to make your own decisions when you’re 18,’ or you’re not,” said Republican Sen. Phil Fortunato.

Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest