Report: The Legal Age To Buy Cigarettes May Go From 18 To 21

The Washington Post is reporting that Congress is planning on federally banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. They explain, "The measure, which would include cigarettes and e-cigarettes, has bipartisan support and was introduced in May. In November, President Trump told reporters he supported an increase in the tobacco-buying age to 21 from 18."

Per CBS News, although President Trump has supported the age increase, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has especially pushed legislation to that effect. In a statement, he says, "Since I introduced my legislation earlier this year to raise the minimum nationwide purchase age for tobacco products from 18 to 21, stories of vaping related illnesses and deaths — especially among young people — have stunned Kentucky and the nation."

So far, 19 states have raised the legal age to buy tobacco, including California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Washington.

The year-end congressional spending bill is expected to pass by the end of this week.