The state of Iowa has proposed a new bill that would raise the tobacco age from 18 to 19. Senate Study Bill 1109 was advanced on Thursday by a 2-1 vote by a subcommittee in the Iowa Senate. The bill now moves to the Senate Education Committee.
According to Senator Herman Quirmbach, the reason for the proposal is the prevent high school seniors who are 18 and buying tobacco for underage classmates.
Currently Alabama, Alaska, New Jersey and Utah limit tobacco sales to people over the age of 19.
The lone vote against the proposal was Republican Senator Jason Schultz.
Iowa is home to 3.1 million residents over 56,272 square miles and became a state in 1846.
