Utah moved one step closer on Friday to raising the age for buying tobacco and e-cigarettes from 19 to 21 across the state.
House lawmakers approved a so-called tobacco 21 bill sponsored by Rep. Steve Eliason by a vote of 47-19 after stripping out pre-emption language that critics said would tie the hands of local governments. In pitching his bill, Eliason said increasing the smoking age could prevent many young people from becoming nicotine-dependent while their brains are still developing.
“I think this is one of the most important things we can do for the health and well-being of our youth this session,” Eliason, a Sandy Republican, said.