New state budget raises Ohio smoking age to 21

Ohioans must wait until age 21 to legally buy cigarettes, cigars, vape pens and other tobacco products, under a provision in the state budget bill signed Thursday morning by Gov. Mike DeWine (Source: “Ohio raises legal smoking age to 21,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 18, 2019).

The new law also applies to rolling papers, filters, blunt wrappers, liquids and other accessories involved with smoking or vaping. DeWine on Thursday vetoed a provision that would have phased the higher age in for anyone who turns 18 years old before Oct. 1.

The state budget also creates a new tax on vaping products assessed at 10 cents per milliliter.