You can now add the state of Maryland to the growing list of states looking to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21. The new bill which has been introduced for the 2019 legislative session is sponsored by Dereck Davis (D-25), Talmadge Branch (D-45), Benjamin Brooks (D-10), Michael Busch (D-30A), Pam Queen (D-14) and Kriselda Valderamma (D-26). It will undergo it’s first hearing on February 27th at 1pm.
The measure has already received the support of the 57 member black caucus of Maryland headed by Del. Darryl Barnes (D-25) and if passed would go into effect October 1, 2019.
The bill which can be seen below is summarized as, “Increasing the amount of certain license fees; requiring certain licensees to post a certain sign in a certain location; altering the minimum age for an individual to purchase or be sold tobacco products; authorizing the Maryland Department of Health to conduct certain inspections of licensed retailers for a certain purpose; authorizing the Department to use certain individuals to assist in conducting a certain inspection; etc.”
Maryland HB1169 on Scribd
