The legislation would prohibit adolescents from purchasing, possessing or smoking traditional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes. Penalties for violating the law would start at a $10 fine for first time offenders and lead to $50 fines or forced community service for repeated offenders.
Ige has yet to decide whether he would sign the bill and his staff still needs to examine it for legal issues.
"The departments will be doing their review and then we'll have the opportunity to look at it," Ige said.
Supporters of the bill hope it would reduce the prevalence of smoking-related hazards and smoking addictions among the state’s young people.
Around 5,600 kids in Hawaii try smoking every year, and 90 percent of daily smokers kick off their habits before turning 19, according to the State Department of Health.
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which backed the bill, claims that 1,400 people die from tobacco use or exposure in Hawaii each year.
The prevalence of smoking would dip 12 percent if the legal smoking age is raised to 21, according to a report by the Institute of Medicine.
However, opponents of the bill argue the law would unfairly diminish the rights of citizens in
Hawaii including returning military members who joined the Army before turning 21.
"It is not right because you are deemed an adult when you turn 18," said Michelle Johnston, owner of Sub Ohm Vapes in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's Big Island. "You can sign up and be in the military and basically give your life for your country. You can vote. Why shouldn't you be able to choose if you want to buy tobacco products or vaping products, when you're considered a legal adult?"
