Evers' 21 to Purchase Tobacco Language Likely to be Pulled From Budget

Monday, March 6th, 2023 -- 12:01 PM

(Bob Hague, WRN) Republicans on the legislature’s finance committee say raising the minimum age to buy tobacco and nicotine products doesn’t belong in the state budget.

Governor Tony Evers included the language in his two year budget plan. Bills raising the purchase age passed the state Assembly with bipartisan support in 2020 and again last year, but failed to advance in the Assembly.

The state’s minimum age of 18 to buy nicotine, tobacco, or vape products conflicts with the federal Tobacco 21 requirement.  Until the state implements the new standard to align with federal law, local police can’t enforce it.

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