Idaho Senate rejects bill to raise smoking age to 21

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho lawmakers have rejected legislation raising the legal smoking age to 21.

The Idaho Senate rejected the bill with a 22-10 vote on Thursday.

President Donald Trump and the Food and Drug Administration approved raising the federal minimum age in December. That makes it illegal for retailers to sell tobacco products to anyone under 21.

The Idaho legislation would have outlawed possessing tobacco by anyone 18 to 20.

Backers said the law would help prevent young people from becoming addicted to tobacco and its many negative health effects.

Opponents said they didn’t think it necessary for the state to match federal law.