The House Health and Human Resources Committee convened at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 4 in 215-E for their final committee meeting for the regular legislative session. During this meeting, the House Health and Human Resources committee voted overwhelmingly to defeat Senate Bill 348, a bill to increase the age to purchase tobacco in WV to 21.
Senate Bill 348 is a bill that passed through the WV Senate after a lengthy debate. This bill would raise the age that West Virginian individuals could buy tobacco products from 18 to 21. The bill would additionally add a provision that would penalize individuals for smoking in an enclosed vehicle with a person under the age 17. Despite the bill being passed in the Senate after nearly a day’s worth of debate, Senate Bill 348 was rejected by the committee with very little discussion.
“People turn 18 and can vote, they can join the military, I don’t see why they shouldn’t be able to make the choice to smoke tobacco,” Delegate Jim Butler, R-Mason said in opposition to the bill.
Delegate Cindy Lavender-Bowe, D-Monongalia, spoke in defense of Senate Bill 348’s passage.
“West Virginia has the 7th highest number of teenagers who smoke,” said Lavender-Bowe. “This is a good bill; it aims to educate our youth.”
Despite several delegates agreeing with her sentiments, the majority of members voted against Senate Bill 348.
The House Health and Human Resources Committee had a consideration of and passed Senate Bill 640 with little discussion. This bill would establish the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act.
The purpose of the proposed act is to promote education of sudden cardiac arrest to aid in detection and prevention to West Virginia students while they are in their youth. The bill provides that the WV Department of Education working in conjunction with the State Health Officer will develop educational materials and guidelines regarding sudden cardiac arrest for students of all ages and risks associated with continuing to play or practice after experiencing fainting or seizures during exercise, unexplained shortness of breath, chest pains, racing heart, or extreme fatigue.
Senate Bill 640 was advanced to the House floor with recommendation that it pass.
