Smoking age raised

Lawmakers raised Nebraska’s smoking age Aug. 11.

LB1064, introduced by Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, raises the legal age to use and purchase tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, electronic nicotine delivery systems or alternative nicotine products from 19 to 21.

The bill also raises the minimum age to enter a tobacco specialty store from 19 to 21, but allows employees who are 19 or 20 to work in tobacco specialty shops until Jan. 1, 2022.

In addition, provisions of Bellevue Sen. Sue Crawford’s LB322 that were amended into LB1064 allow individuals between ages 15 and 20 to assist law enforcement in compliance checks of tobacco vendors with written consent of a parent or legal guardian.

LB1064 passed 48-0 and takes effect immediately.