Questions remain as Lawrence considers raising age to buy tobacco products

Lawrence city commissioners will soon consider a measure that would raise the age to purchase tobacco products in the city from 18 to 21.

Both the Lawrence school district and the Douglas County Commission have voiced support for the Tobacco 21 initiative, which would ban the sale of all tobacco-related products, including electronic cigarettes and vaping devices used to inhale nicotine, for those under 21. However, the city government would be the body in charge of creating, enforcing and legally defending such an ordinance, and city leaders have questions.
Though Mayor Stuart Boley is undecided on the topic, he said the measure is an issue he is looking forward to learning more about and one the commission needs to consider. Boley said one of the questions is whether city government could legally defend such an ordinance if it were passed.