Virginia’s newly instated tobacco regulation has raised the general purchase age from 18 to 21. The bill (HB 2748) was just signed into law by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam on Thursday, but will officially go into effect on July 1.
This comes as the U.S. Surgeon General has declared teenage vaping as an epidemic. The amended tobacco law is meant to discourage teens from using e-cigarettes and vapes. It does, however, exempt active duty military personnel.
“By raising the minimum age for purchase to 21, this will have a positive effect on our schools by lessening the chances of teenagers obtaining vaping products from friends and classmates who are already 18,” Republican House Speaker Kirk Cox said. 
Surely, this will deter many of those ages 18, 19 and 20 from purchasing tobacco products. But, only time will tell if the law successfully curbs the epidemic altogether.
Meanwhile, local businesses across the state of Virginia are gearing up for a big hit come this summer.
Do you think raising the tobacco purchaser age from 18 to 21 is a good idea? Let us know…
Source: WHSV (AP)
