Bill that would change N.D. smoking age to 19 fails

A bipartisan bill that would change the smoking age was shot down on the House floor Friday.

House Bill 1312, would prohibit a person under the age of 19 from buying and using tobacco products.

The bill would have also provided a penalty for anyone buying underage.

"There is still some personal choice, there's still some choice of adulthood and some personal responsibility that comes into play here. I think this is just erosion to some of that, so I hope we would vote no," says Todd Porter, R-Mandan.

The bill was voted down by a tally of 68-22.