Nevada Considers Limiting Under-21 Cigarette Sales to Casinos

Nevada lawmakers are considering a bold move to restrict cigarette smoking among young adults. However, the newest proposed legislation has an added twist that has been raising eyebrows. Casinos would be exempted from this measure, indirectly incentivizing young people to visit such establishments. Such a measure could potentially lead to rising gambling harm rates and reverberate across other sectors.

The Bill Aims to Foster a Cigarette-Free Generation

Assembly Bill 279, introduced by Assembly Members David Orentlicher and Cecelia Gonzalez, proposes a “generational ban” on cigarette sales. Under the bill, anyone born after December 31, 2004, would be barred from buying cigarettes in Nevada regardless of age. While the legislation marks an ambitious step toward fighting tobacco consumption, it envisions one huge exception.

Under the bill, cigarette sales will remain permitted at casinos with nonrestricted gaming licenses. Orentlicher, a UNLV law professor specializing in health law, believes this proposed legislation will disincentivize people from engaging with the most harmful tobacco product on the market. Such a measure would also drastically reduce indirect smoking, leading to widespread health benefits.

The sale of cigars, chewing tobacco, and vape products to adults 21 and older will not be impacted. Orentlicher noted that the measure’s targeted nature followed a similar trajectory to other phased-out health hazards like leaded paint and asbestos, ensuring a gradual transition and allowing the broader industry to adjust to the changes.

Many Experts Remain Unconvinced

The casino exemption caused skepticism at the bill’s April 1 hearing, with several lawmakers questioning if the casino measure could lead to unintended consequences, such as young adults being lured into gambling spaces just to buy cigarettes. Anti-tobacco advocates also point to a link between smoking and gambling addiction, as the two harmful habits can feed one another.

According to a recent Las Vegas Review-Journal report, smoke shop owners and small retailers expressed the most vocal opposition, arguing that the bill would severely damage their business while funneling even more revenues into megacasinos, which already dominate the Nevada landscape. Many critics also doubt the necessity of the legislation, citing record-low smoking rates, especially among people.

“It is not the government’s role to dictate what legal products adults can or cannot consume.”

Liz Lutz, Shortline Express Market administrative assistant

AB 279 is poised for further committee consideration sometime later this spring. With the Nevada legislative session continuing through June, a vote could come before summer. As legislators continue to debate the bill, it remains to be seen whether the state’s attempt to engineer a cigarette-free generation will burn out before it catches fire.