Idaho House killed the 21 smoking-age bill

The Idaho House has killed the 21 smoking-age bill, SB 1087, on a 28-40 vote, after representatives from both parties criticized the idea.

The Senate-passed bill would have matched Idaho state law to federal law, which already has been in effect for two years.

The Idaho Press reports the bill’s House sponsor noted that the bill also includes a pre-emption on any local government regulations or taxes for tobacco that exceed state regulations and taxes.

Another representative noted that businesses asked for the change, including the pre-emption law, to make regulations consistent so they can do business in multiple locations around the state. But the House rejected the bill.

It drew similar debate earlier in the Senate, but it passed there on a 25-10 vote. The bill was proposed by the Idaho Retailers Association.

Written and posted by the Idaho Press