According to Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who's been leading the charge to raise the smoking age, a new poll says most Washington residents favor the idea.

Although the Elway poll cited by Ferguson claims 65% support the idea, Ferguson has run into opposition from a number of influential legislators in Olympia, especially from Eastern Washington.  These officials say while we are all aware of the dangers tobacco poses, it's NOT up to the state to decide one's health-related decisions.  They believe education and personal responsibility still play a key role in one's own health.

According to information released Thursday by Fergson:

"The poll, commissioned by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and issued by Elway Research, an independent research firm, surveyed 500 registered voters in Washington state from Dec. 28-30, 2015. The results show strong support among both men and women and in every region of the state. Support in Eastern Washington (66 percent) was similar to support in Western Washington (70 percent). Additionally, the poll found strong support across political ideology, with 66 percent of Republicans and 72 percent of Democrats supporting increasing the tobacco sale age."

Ferguson says overall in the U.S. some 117 jurisdictions ranging from major cities to counties, have raised their age to 21, and Hawaii became the first state to do so earlier this year.

According to data supplied by Ferguson, most adult smokers began some sort of tobacco use before the age of 19. He and others believe raising the age will counter that trend.

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