Mitt Romney bills to raise smoking age, ban e-cigs in schools part of health care package

SALT LAKE CITY — Parts of two bills to combat youth vaping backed by Sen. Mitt Romney made their way into a bipartisan health care package Congress will consider.

The agreement included provisions to raise the legal smoking age to 21 nationwide and ban the use of e-cigarettes in schools.

Romney said while he’s encouraged the health care legislation takes a step toward addressing youth vaping, the work is far from finished.

“In light of last week’s data showing an increase in the number of young people vaping, the administration and Congress must act further to ban flavors that appeal to kids and prevent vaping cartridges from being adulterated with harmful substances,” he said.