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Denver bans tobacco sales for anyone under 21

Posted at 8:45 AM, Oct 01, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-01 11:45:10-04

DENVER — Sorry kids, but you won’t be able to buy tobacco products in Denver if you’re under 21 years old.

Denver City Council unanimously voted Monday evening to raise the minimum age for buying tobacco and nicotine products from 18 to 21.

The law goes into effect as soon as Denver Mayor Michael Hancock signs it, which is expected to happen Tuesday, according to a spokeswoman.

The bill will also remove the sale of tobacco products from vending machines.

Those caught selling to teenagers will be inspected and subsequently fined for any violation of the law.

The measure, submitted in late March by the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, aims to curb the state’s rate of teen vaping — the highest in the nation, according to a 2018 study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This story was originally published by Óscar Contreras on KMGH.