Legislation that would have increased the legal age to purchase cigarettes, dip, and vape products to 21 dies on the House floor amid concerns the bill infringes on individual liberties of adults. Bill author, West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman, argued the bill could save lives.
“If we move this to 21 there will be people who would have smoked that will never smoke, saving tremendous money in healthcare, and lives.”
The proposal was met with stiff opposition from Alexandria Representative, Lance Harris, who grilled Hoffman on why 18-year-olds can buy a house, get a tattoo, or make any number of other crucial life decisions, but not be allowed to smoke.
“Think about it, 18-year-olds right now can get married, they can die for our country, but hey can’t make the decision to smoke?”
The bill led to an animated back and forth between Hoffman and Harris. Hoffman argued we already bar 18-year-olds from purchasing alcohol, but Harris countered, saying only one of those two substances can kill you overnight…
“HARRIS: Alcohol can kill someone else instantly, and you can also kill yourself instantly with that.
HOFFMAN: Cigarettes are not instant, but they do the same thing.
HARRIS: But overtime.”
The final vote was 24-55.
