Other LanguagesOLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson will testify before the House Finance Committee tomorrow regarding his agency-request bill to raise the smoking age.
House Bill 1458 passed the House Health Care & Wellness Committee in a bipartisan 12-3 vote on Feb. 17, and was referred to the Finance Committee.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Mark Miloscia (R-Federal Way) and Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), would raise Washington’s age to legally use and possess tobacco and nicotine products from 18 to 21.
Tomorrow’s hearing starts at 3:30 p.m. in the John L. O’Brien Building, 504 15th Ave. Southeast, and will be available live on TVW.
Research, including a recent report from the Institute of Medicine, indicates that increasing the smoking age to 21 will significantly reduce the number of adolescents and young adults who start smoking; reduce deaths from smoking; and immediately improve the health of adolescents, young adults, young mothers and their children.
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The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the state of Washington with attorneys and staff in 27 divisions across the state providing legal services to roughly 200 state agencies, boards and commissions. Attorney General Bob Ferguson is working hard to protect consumers and seniors against fraud, keep our communities safe, protect our environment and stand up for our veterans. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
Contacts:
Peter Lavallee, Communications Director, (360) 586-0725; PeterL@atg.wa.gov