Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will introduce legislation next month to raise the age limit for people to purchase tobacco products and vaping devices from 18 to 21, but it will have exemptions for those who serve in the military.
26 House districts in the Richmond and Hampton Roads metropolitan areas will be altered as Virginia’s redistricting case is still set to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on March 18.
“Raising the legal age for tobacco purchases to 21 is a common sense way to address this escalating public health concern,” said Delegate Chris Stolle.
“Mr. Speaker, I’m not going to let anyone take the life of my son, and I’m not going to vote to allow other people to take the lives of other people’s sons,” said Delegate Scott Garrett during an emotional day on Bank Street.
The bipartisan, bicameral bill from Virginia lawmakers would increase the minimum age for those prohibited from “purchasing or possessing tobacco products, nicotine vapor products, and alternative nicotine products.”
