MN House approves bill to raise tobacco buying age from 18 to 21

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The Minnesota House of Representatives approved legislation by a vote of 89-41 on Saturday to raise the age to buy tobacco products in Minnesota from 18 to 21 years old.

House File 331 now heads to the Minnesota Senate for approval with action expected to be taken next week.

Rep. Heather Edelson, (DFL-Edina), is chief author of the legislation.

“Research shows that raising the tobacco age to 21 will prevent youth addiction and save lives. Tobacco companies have been targeting youth to addict the next generation. In the 2019 Student Survey, 26 % of 11th graders reported vaping. 76 % of all youth reported not knowing how addictive vaping was before they started. Passing Tobacco 21 is an important statement in the fight against rising youth tobacco use. I am proud of the strong bipartisan support Tobacco 21 received today.”

Earlier in the day, Edelson said the bill would make in clearer for cities statewide in what the proper enforcement age is.

"Our bill makes it clear that there is only one tobacco age and that is 21," Edelson said.

Another bill headed to the Senate is one to provide a one-time $500 payment to families on the Minnesota Family Investment Program.

#mnhouse passes HF4582 on 73-59 vote; it would provide up to $500 boost to families on MFIP program to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill now goes to the Senate. #mnleg

— MNHouseInfo (@MNHouseInfo) May 9, 2020

Supporters of the bill say families which will receive the money are those of have members who were laid off prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and did not qualify for related stimulus funding.