DeLEO TALKING TO REPS ABOUT HIGHER TOBACCO PURCHASE AGE

By Katie Lannan
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, MAY 23, 2016....Advocates for raising the state's tobacco purchase age from 18 to 21 make a "very compelling" case, according to House Speaker Robert DeLeo, who said Monday he determining how House members feel about legally boosting the age.

In April, the Senate voted 32-2 vote to pass a bill (S 2269) aimed at curbing youth tobacco use, which included the three-year age increase along with restrictions on e-cigarettes and a ban on tobacco sales in pharmacies.

After mentioning at an American Heart Association event that he had just finished speaking with supporters of the bill, DeLeo told the News Service he planned to discuss the issue later Monday during a meeting with legislative leaders and Gov. Charlie Baker.

"In terms of statistics, you know, they make a very compelling argument in terms of cancer rates and other ailments such as heart disease," DeLeo said of the bill's proponents. "It's something I just want to get a feel for where the membership stands on it."

Baker has said he "conceptually" supports increasing the tobacco age but would want to see the details of any specific legislative proposal.

Sen. Jason Lewis, who serves as co-chair of the Public Health Committee, said Monday he is "very optimistic" the bill will become law this year.

END
05/23/2016

Serving the working press since 1910
http://www.statehousenews.com