Supporters rally to raise Mass. smoking age to 21

David Bienick, WCVB5 Updated: 2:26 PM EDT Mar 28, 2018

BOSTON —

Despite repeated roadblocks on Beacon Hill, supporters of a bill to raise Massachusetts smoking age are not giving up.

For the fourth time in four years, volunteers with the American Cancer Society rallied at the Statehouse. Their bill would raise the smoking age from 18 to 21 and ban the use of e-cigarettes in workplaces.

Similar bills have previously passed several committees and the state Senate, but have never come up for a vote in the House.

"In conversations, I've had with the Speaker (Robert DeLeo), I know the Speaker is very supportive of it. And he wants to keep young people from picking up the deadly habit of nicotine addiction," said Rep. Paul McMurtry, (D) Dedham.

In the past, opponents have been worried about the loss of tax revenue if the smoking age is raised.

Five states have already raised the smoking age to 21, including Maine where the law is scheduled to take effect this summer.