The state of Delaware has joined the ranks of states looking to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21.
SB25 would restrictsaccess to tobacco products and tobacco substitutes to individuals under age 21 by doing all of the following:
1. Prohibits sales of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes to individuals who are under 21.
2. Imposes a civil penalty for sales to individuals between the ages of 18 and 21.
3. Repeals the ability of a parent or guardian to purchase tobacco products or tobacco substitutes for a minor.
4. Revises the framework by which an employer may use an affirmative defense to the improper sale of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes, aligning the affirmative defense with the minimum age increase.
5. Adopts best practices for enforcement measures by modifying the prohibition against the purchase of tobacco products by minors.
6. Prohibits individuals under age 21 from entering vapor establishments. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
The bill currently has 20 sponsors; Sen. Bryan Townsend (D-11), Sen. Anthony Delcollo (R-7), Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown (D-17), Rep. Krista Griffith (D-12), Rep. Valerie Longhurst (D-15), Sen. Catherine Cloutier (R-5), Sen. Stephanie Hansen (D-10), Sen. Elizabeth Lockman (D-3), Sen. Nicole Poore (D-12), Rep. Paul Baumbach (D-23), Rep. David Bentz (D-18), Rep. Stephanie Bolden (D-2), Rep. Gerald Brady (D-4), Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha (D-1), Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker (D-3), Rep. Debra Heffernan (D-6), Rep. Earl Jaques (D-27), Rep. Kendra Johnson (D-5), Rep. Quinton Johnson (D-8) and Rep. Raymond Seigfried (D-7).
The bill has been assigned to the Senate Committee Health & Social Services.
SB25 on Scribd
