Oregon Becomes the Third State in America to Raise Legal Age for Purchasing Cigarettes from 18 to 21

If Gov. Kate Brown signs it (and she will), the law will go into effect on Jan 1.

By Sophia June

Oregon will soon join Alaska and Hawaii as the third state to raise the legal age for tobacco purchase from 18 to 21.

Senate Bill 0754 passed the Senate back in may, and passed the House yesterday, after they made one significant amendment: Those 18 to 21 are still allowed to possess tobacco, but can't purchase it.

The bill overcame fierce opposition.

As the state's leading cause of preventable death, the bill easily attracted the support of public heath advocates.

But it also faced powerful foes. As WW reported last month, the world's largest tobacco company, Altria, hired former Sen. Margaret Carter (D-Portland) as a lobbyist. She argued that the law could give police an excuse to racially profile minority youth.

Carter's argument was so successful that it nearly killed the bill, as Democratic leaders pulled it from the floor before a scheduled House vote in May, which rarely happens.

But the House Rules Committee removed the possession provision, clarifying that the bill applies only to purchase.

The bill will next go to the Senate to approve the House amendment. If approved, it will then go to Governor Kate Brown for signing. The law would go into effect on Jan 1.

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