Wisconsin lawmakers propose minimum age for vaping

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A bipartisan group of Wisconsin lawmakers wants to set a minimum age for purchasing vaping products and raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco and nicotine.

The group led by Republican state Sen. Howard Marklein has introduced a bill that would prohibit the sale of vaping products to anyone under 21.

The bill also would move the minimum age for purchasing nicotine and tobacco products like chewing tobacco and traditional cigarettes from 18 to 21.

The bill comes as concerns about vaping’s health effects mount. As many as 50 people in at least six states have been stricken with breathing illnesses that may be linked to e-cigarettes or vaping products.

The lawmakers wrote in a co-sponsorship memo that the rising use of vaping products among young people is a crisis.