Governor Hogan Signs Tobacco Purchase Age Increase Into Law

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has signed an increase in the age to purchase tobacco products into law.

House Bill 1169 was passed by both chambers of the State Legislature last month and increased the age for not only cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco, but also vaping products, which have soared in popularity among the under 21 population.

At the signing ceremony where the Governor signed a number of bills passed by the House and Senate during the 2019 Session, he spoke on the tobacco increase bill: “There is no more important job than protecting the health and safety of Marylanders.” He continued “The bipartisan measures we are enacting today – to confront the sharp rise in teen vaping and protect pregnant women and unborn children – are important steps in achieving that goal. We are also proud to continue Maryland’s record of leadership on health care by enacting legislation to further improve access to lower costs.”

Maryland joins nearby Delaware, Virginia and 10 other states in increasing the age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.