Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2024 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ · WVTX
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Vermont Legislature
Follow VPR's statehouse coverage, featuring Pete Hirschfeld and Bob Kinzel in our Statehouse Bureau in Montpelier.

House Gives Preliminary Approval To Raising Smoking Age

The House has advanced legislation that raises the legal age to purchase or possess tobacco products from 18 to 21. The proposal will be phased in over a three-year period. The vote was 84 to 61.

The bill also increases the state tobacco tax by 39 cents over the three years.

Backers of the legislation believe it will help reduce smoking ratesbecause studies show that 90 percent of adult smokers started before they were 21.

Putney Rep. Mike Mrowicki urged his colleagues to support the bill.

"Our hope is that will help move Vermont to a culture with healthier youth, less government spending," says Mrowicki. "How do we gain those outcomes? Limit use of tobacco products and substitutes to those under the age of 21. Saves lives, saves money."

House members backed an amendment to dramatically increase fines for underage people who try to illegally purchase tobacco products.

They narrowly defeated another amendment that would have exempted military personnel from the new age limit.

The bill is expected to come up for a final vote in the House on Wednesday. 

Bob Kinzel has been covering the Vermont Statehouse since 1981 — longer than any continuously serving member of the Legislature. With his wealth of institutional knowledge, he answers your questions on our series, "Ask Bob."
Latest Stories