(WWL.com)
The House Health and Welfare committee approves legislation to increase the legal age to smoke from 18 to 21-years-old. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman believes this proposal will result in fewer people choosing to smoke, resulting in a healthier Louisiana.
“It is a simple but tremendously important concept reducing deaths, making better health, saving money, and making life better for many.”
The measure also raises the legal age to vape to 21-years-old. That brought opposition from individuals who own vaping stores.
“This is restricting adult access to make a choice in their life. Whether we agree with their choices or not is not for us to decide.”
Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley also couldn’t support raising the legislation, because he didn’t think it was right to prohibit an 18-to-21-year-old from smoking even though they can fight for our country.
“The federal government is considering it. I know Walgreens has already done it, not that it is a bad thing that is what is going to happen and I am going to support those laws. But I can’t vote for this here.”
The measure passed on a 10-2 vote. Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni voted for the legislation, because he says many young adults who choose to smoke end up costing the state billions of dollars in health care costs.
“And sometimes the public policy has to override sometimes choice issues.”
The bill now heads to the house floor.