SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Attorney General (AG) Bob Ferguson of the U.S. state of Washington is pushing to raise the minimum legal age of buying tobacco and vaping products to 21 by proposing a legislative bill for 2019.
The Washington AG's Office said Ferguson wants to raise the tobacco sale age in Washington from 18 to 21, and the bill would not affect sales on military installations or penalize those who are underage for possession.
Ferguson's proposal is part of his legislative agenda for 2019 that also includes calls for a ban on selling firearms with high-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, and a repeal of the state's death penalty.
The AG's proposed bill "increases protections for consumers and workers, impacts the health and safety of Washingtonians and addresses needed changes in government and the legal system," said Ferguson's office.
This is the fifth session that Ferguson has requested the legislation since 2015.
California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Oregon, along with more than 360 municipalities across the United States, have raised the minimum tobacco sale age to 21.