Utah won’t the second state in the country to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products, as the Utah State House Revenue and Taxation Committee voted 4-8-1 against it on Monday, failing to earn it a recommendation. This is the second time that a bill to increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco products has failed in the past two years, as a similar measure failed in March 2014. Had it passed, the measure would have made it illegal for a person under 21-years-old to purchase or possess any type of tobacco product, subjecting them to a class C misdemeanor and a minimum fine of $60, as well as participation in a court-approved tobacco education program. Existing fines for retailers would remain in place, starting at up to $300 for a first violation before going up to $750 for a second violations and up to $1,000 for a third violation within 12 months of the first. The proposal had been drafted by Rep. Kraig Powell (R-Heber City) and Sen. Brian E. Shiozawa (R-Salt Lake City). Hawaii remains the only state in the country where the minimum age to purchase tobacco products has been increased to 21-years-old.
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