Raising the smoking age to 21 is a good start

One of the laws being proposed in this legislative session is House Bill 2313 and its companion measure Senate Bill 6157, which aims to increase the minimum legal age of buying tobacco and vapor products from 18 to 21.

Currently, Washington residents 18 years and older can legally buy tobacco and vapor products. According to wording in HB 2313, the Legislature recognizes that many people who purchase cigarettes for minors are between the ages of 18-20. Raising the minimum legal age to 21 will decrease the legal access minors have to tobacco and vapor products.

This bill has a lot of support. I...