Senate OK’s bill to raise smoking age

The Senate OK’d a bill Monday that would align Florida’s smoking age with federal law and grant state regulators broader oversight over nicotine products.

The Senate voted 29-9 to pass SB 1080, sponsored by Sen. Travis Hutson, a Saint Augustine Republican.

The proposal would raise Florida’s smoking age to 21 and preempt local lawmakers from passing protections stricter than state law.

It also empowers the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco with broader oversight on the marketing, sale, or delivery of tobacco or nicotine products.

In December 2019, then-President Donald Trump signed a measure raising the federal sales age for tobacco and nicotine to 21. More than 550 local governments and 33 states currently limit tobacco sales to those 21 and older.

Further, vendors would be required to get a new nicotine permit. While a tobacco permit costs $50, the new nicotine permits would be free.

Notably, Hutson’s proposal makes an exception for military service members below the age of 21.

Throughout the committee process, the bill and House companion have received considerable pushback from several organizations including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

Speaking Monday on the House floor, Democratic Sen. Lori Berman of Boynton Beach became the latest vocal opponent. She has sponsored similar legislation in years past.

“There’s a lot of preemption of local control over the sales and marketing of local tobacco products, and that could stop the passage of effective policies to reduce tobacco and effectively save lives,” Berman said.

Last year, the Legislature pushed a bill that would have raised the legal age to buy tobacco products to 21 and banned flavored nicotine products commonly used in vape cartridges.

Despite acclaim from Attorney General Ashley Moody, Gov. Ron DeSantis shot the legislation down.

“Reducing the use of all nicotine-related products, including vaping, among our youth is an important goal, but this will not be achieved by eliminating legal products for adults and by devastating the small businesses who provide these adults with reduced-risk alternatives to cigarettes,” DeSantis said of the proposal.

If signed into law, the bill would take effect July 1.