The Washington State House Committee on Health Care & Wellness gave a bill seeking to raise the age to purchase and use tobacco products its approval recently, voting 12-3 in favor of it on Feb. 17. House Bill 1458 seeks to make possession and usage of tobacco products or e-cigarettes by those under 21-years-old a class 3 civil infraction, punishable by a fine, community service or both. The court could also require a person between 18 to 21 to participate in a cessation program as part of the punishment. The bill was introduced in mid-January and now awaits its next committee assignment or a vote on the House floor.
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