House Bill 473 sponsored by Lousiana State Rep. Buddy Mincey, a Republican representing District 71, aims to raise the age requirement for vaping and tobacco products from 18 to 21, continuing a trend that has been seen elsewhere in the United States.
As there were no objections to the bill at the latest hearing, the bill is now headed for the house floor for further approval.
While nobody at the hearing spoke up against the bill, some representatives reportedly raised questions over the part of HB473 that would impose a requirement for random inspections of retailers, requesting further work on the matter.
Rep. Mincey, the bill’s sponsor, was quoted by local news outlet Baton Rouge Proud as having said that it is “just a matter of access and it’s just one part of the puzzle and it’s just a first step.”
HB473, which first appeared in the Interim Calendar on April 2, 2021, is currently pending House floor action.
Lousiana would by no means be the first state to raise the age requirement for purchasing vaping products, as states such as California and Washington have already raised their age requirements from 18 to 21 for both vaping and tobacco products.
