Earlier in 2019 a pair of bills were introduced in the Baltimore House and Senate that sought to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21. The measure quickly gained the support of the 57 member Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland headed by Del. Darryl Barnes (D-25).
Senate Bill 895 which passed by a vote of 35-11 contains language that permits an exemption for those 18-20 who are active members of the military. Meanwhile, House Bill 1169 which passed 100-39 does not contain such an exemption.
Maryland is home to the US Naval Academy and an agreement would need to be reached by both legislative bodies before the bill winds up on the desk of Republican Governor Larry Hogan who has not revealed if he would support such a measure.
