Wicomico County Celebrates The Great American Smokeout

Smoking (WBOC PHOTO)

DOVER, Del. --- Gov. John Carney on Thursday announced plans to hike the minimum age to buy tobacco products in Delaware to 21 years old.

Carney (D-Delaware) said he would be backing a proposal from Senate Majority Whip Bryan Townsend (D-Bear/Newark) that would make Delaware the seventh state to require people to be 21 years old to buy cigarettes.

"We know that forming good health habits early in life increases the chances you'll be a healthy adult," he said.

But some smokers like Skye Hannah of Dover don't agree with the idea of upping the age to buy tobacco products, noting that people are considered adults in the eyes of the law at age 18.

"I pay for vacations...I buy my own things but now I can't buy my own cigarettes. It's a $5 or $6 purchase that I should be able to walk in, with my ID and just buy them."

House Minority Leader Danny Short (R-Seaford) expressed concerns about the proposal and noted that people can enlist in the military at 18 years of age.

"I do understand the healthy side of that issue," he said. "I think there's other things we can do besides raise the age."

Recommended for you