Just shy of two months since Columbia City Councilwoman Ginny Chadwick proposed that the city raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21, the city’s board of health has given its stamp of approval to the idea. At its meeting on Thursday night, the Columbia/Boone County Board of Health voted in favor of the idea, as well as to apply the age minimum to the purchase of electronic cigarettes, as well as recommending that their use be banned indoors and wherever traditionally smoked tobacco products are prohibited. The recommendation comes a day after the Columbia Substance Abuse Advisory Commission voted 6-1 in favor of increasing the age. Both groups had to sign off on the idea before the city council could vote on it. City attorney Nancy Thompson will now draft a proposal for the council’s consideration. Chadwick told the Missourian that she hopes the council will vote on the matter in January, while the Columbia Tribune reports that it could come up as early as next month. Columbia is home to approximately 115,000 people and is located almost directly between Kansas City and St. Louis, about 125 miles from both cities.
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