16 Mar Louisiana To Raise Legal Smoking Age from 18 to 21
In quite the bold move, Louisiana lawmakers just recently voted to change the minimum age for smoking from 18 to 21. Louisiana is only the second state in the United States to move forward with this change; Hawaii has changed as well.
Louisiana is the most populous state in America and such a substantial change could greatly affect the public. Although most smokers start before the legal age limit, even just raising the age limit to 21 will make it more difficult for teens to get a hold of tobacco products.
This would not include the use of e-cigarettes, as currently these increasingly popular devices are not regulated by the federal government; however, there is also a push to change those regulations as well.
Currently underage smokers face relatively low punishment levels because they are minors. But when the law officially changes, underage smokers will now include young adults 18-20, who are no longer considered juveniles. Plus, anyone caught selling or providing cigarettes to anyone less than 21 years of age could face harsher punishments such as losing their store license and more. In this situation, if they get arrested, they most likely can make bail, especially with a bail bond from Baton Rouge Bail Bonds.