Efforts by some lawmakers to create laws and taxes that could curb the use of tobacco and nicotine products have sputtered this session as some legislators note a deadline for passing bills is fast approaching.
Bills to raise the age to purchase tobacco, tax electronic cigarettes and designate Capitol Hill a smoke- and tobacco-free area have all struggled to gain traction as the 45-day legislative session passed the halfway point this week.
House members said they feared they’d create an unwelcoming atmosphere on Capitol Hill if they banned tobacco use by passing HB155, noting people are addicted to it.