The members of the Government from Louisiana proposed a bill to rise the age of legal tobacco use from 18 to 21 years old. If this bill will be approved by World Health Organization, Louisiana would be the first state to change the age to 21 years old.

Walker Hines, State Representative, said he proposed this bill to reduce health care costs for the state and prolong the lives of Louisiana residents. Hines, 24, is the youngest member in the state Legislature and the second youngest in the Legislature’s history.

"I have a particular moral obligation to the young people because I am the youngest legislator," Hines said. "This will be an uphill battle, and I am used to the fight."

Smokers from Louisiana represent 25% of the state’s population.

This bill would affect many future University students. According to a Smoking Words study, there are about 7,800 undergraduate students at the University who consider themselves smokers.

Hines said that the new legislation will not blame current smokers, it will prevent new smokers. The new low that waits to be approved is the same as the current law, but only the age of legal tobacco is changed, the age from 18 to 21.

Hines hopes also to increase fines for underage tobacco use. Buying tobacco when underage is now punishable by a fine of up to $50 for the first offense, up to $100 for the second offense, up to $250 for the third offense and up to $400 for any subsequent offense.

Hines said: "It is the first step in fixing a long-term problem. This legislation is not targeting smokers. It targets their children and grandchildren."

Hines said he may be forced to agreement with the 19-year-old age limit instead of 21, but 21 is his goal. At the age of 19, tobacco would be removed from high schools.

In Louisiana 18-year-olds young people are treated as adults in the legal and military systems. And that’s why they continue to enjoy all the benefits of being an adult, including alcohol and tobacco use.