US
Governor Gary Herbert signed the HB324 bill in late March 2019, making Utah the eighth state to enforce a smoking age of 21, joining seven other states – California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Oregon, Hawaii, Maine, and Virginia as well as more than 400 cities and counties, to enforce a smoking age set at 21.
However, earlier this year near the beginning of the legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) spoke out against the bill, saying it penalizes youth, it could keep other counties and cities from passing their own tobacco laws and it would be phased in over two years.
In addition, Brook Carlisle, ACS CAN government relations director, voiced concern with the exemption for members of the military and their spouses and dependents, saying the exemption doesn't align with the goals of the Department of Defense or help keep military members healthy.
ACS CAN also spoke out against the pre-emption clause, which prevents cities from enforcing different age limits but brought support from tobacco retailers.