State Rep. Hahnfeldt sponsors legislation to raise legal smoking age in Florida

State Rep. Don Hahnfeldt, R-TheVillages, is sponsoring a bill to raise the legal smoking age in Florida from 18 to 21.

Hahnfeldt said that raising the legal age would save $8.6 billion in health care costs. It could also save 270,000 lives, he said.

The bill could be considered during a 60-day legislative session that begins Jan. 9.

Smoking has been on the decrease in Florida.

Youth smoking rate has decreased from 10.6 percent in 2006 to 3 percent in 2016, according to Tobacco Free Florida. That represents a 71 percent decrease.