More local governments in Kansas aren’t waiting for the state to raise the legal age to buy tobacco or e-cigarettes.
Finney County Monday became the 23rd county or city in Kansas to raise the legal age to buy tobacco or e-cigarettes from 18 to 21. The county commission approve the change with a 3-2 vote.
This change was already implemented in April 2017 in Garden City with the passage of a city ordinance. Holcomb then took similar action.
Other jurisdictions in northeast Kansas, including Lawrence, have adopted the ordinance known as T-21. Monday Eyewitness News spoke with one of Garden City’s leading proponents of T-21 and asked if the movement could come to Sedgwick County.
Donna Gerstner works with Garden City High School students to spread awareness about the dangers of tobacco use. Gerstner says she was part of the group that lobbied to pass the ordinance in Garden City, then Holcomb, and finally, Finney County.
(Read more: KWCH News)