OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — The state of Washington's House Health Care & Wellness Committee advanced Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s agency-request bill to raise the sale age of tobacco and vapor products to 21 last week.
“This legislation will literally save lives,” Ferguson said. “I thank legislators from both parties for standing with me to protect Washington youth from a life of addiction and tobacco-related health problems. The momentum for this common-sense reform is building.”
In a recent press conference, Ferguson and colleagues such as State Secretary of Health John Weisman announced a poll that shows that two-thirds of Washingtonians support raising the sale age.
State representatives who voted for the bill included Eileen Cody (D-Seattle), Judy Clibborn (D-Mercer Island), Richard Debolt (R-Chehalis), Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma), Norm Johnson (R-Yakima), June Robinson (D-Everett), Shelly Short (R-Addy), Steve Tharinger (D-Sequim) and Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim).
Representatives against the bill were Michelle Caldier (R-Port Orchard), Jim Moeller (D-Vancouver) and Joe Smick (R-Colfax).