From: District Wire
Bill would raise smoking age to 21 in D.C.
Raul Lieberwirth/flickr
The legal age to buy and possess tobacco products may soon be increased to 21 in D.C.
If Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie has his way, a bill he introduced to the D.C. Council April 1 will increase the minimum age required to purchase and possess tobacco products from 18 to 21.
“Raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products will significantly reduce our youth’s exposure to a deadly habit,” McDuffie (D-Ward 5) said through a press release April 1. “The legislation is our best tool to prevent adolescents from smoking, both presently and in the future as adults.”
McDuffie notes in the release New York City passed similar legislation in 2013.
Another bill McDuffie introduced would entirely ban the sale and consumption of powdered alcohol, which is a powder that can be mixed with water to create an alcoholic beverage, according to the press release.
A website devoted to the powder describes it as liquor in powder form.
“I am deeply concerned about the potential threat of alcohol poisoning associated with the use of powdered alcohol, particularly among underage consumers,” McDuffie said through the press release.
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