The smoking age limit is part of Gov. Mike DeWine's two-year state budget proposal.
(Columbus, Oh.) – Ohio’s governor wants to raise the age limit to buy cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Mike DeWine recently submitted a proposal that would raise the state’s minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21, reports FOX 19 NOW.
At the same time, the proposal could reduce sales and tobacco tax collections by millions of dollars during the next two-year state budget in 2020-2021. DeWine estimates a reduction of $17 million in 2020 and $22.7 million in 2021.
Ohio currently taxes cigarettes at a rate of $1.60 per pack.
DeWine’s proposal would likely help cut down the state’s above average rate of high school and adult smoking.
Locally, Cincinnati is among a handful of cities that have already adopted the 21-years-old age limit to buy cigarettes and tobacco products.
Lawmakers have until the end of June to approve the next two-year state budget.
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