Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has signed a bipartisan bill from the legislature to raise the minimum smoking age from 18 to 21.
House Bill 2269 makes changes in state law on the sale, purchase and possession of cigarettes and tobacco products. The Kansas Department of Revenue says raising the minimum age to 21 will bring the state into compliance with federal law, and that will allow federal funding to continue to be provided to Kansas for the enforcement of tobacco laws.
The law is estimated to reduce state revenues by $7.6 million for fiscal year 2024. The League of Kansas Municipalities and the Kansas Association of Counties said the change in the law will also reduce local sales tax collections, which will reduce revenue to local government.
The bill is one of five bipartisan bills that the Governor signed into law on Tuesday. Another bill she signed will increase access to professional counseling services by expanding the licensed professional counselor workforce. The bill allows Kansas to join an interstate compact that allows clinical counselors to practice in all compact states. Governor Kelly said the bill will make it easier for state residents to get the needed mental health care.
