TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A bill aimed at tackling youth vaping is awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature. 

The bill raises the legal age to buy vaping products to 21 and requires all flavored vaping products to have FDA approval before being sold in the state. 

It also requires vape retailers to obtain a state tobacco permit and verify a purchasers age. 

Bay area Rep. Jackie Toledo sponsored the bill. 

"Florida took a huge step in protecting our kids from the harmful effect of vaping and e-cigarettes," Toledo said. "This legislation will save lives and help to ensure that black-market products don’t get in the hands of our youth. Our legislation, thanks to the help from Senator David Simmons and Attorney General Moody, will protect our youth from harmful marketing tactics by big tobacco and save a generation from lifelong nicotine addiction."

In January, the United States Department of Health and Human Services created regulations increasing the legal age of tobacco use from 18 to 21.  As one of the first states to act on the new age change, Florida is setting the national standard for mitigating tobacco use in middle and high schools across our state. The legislation also sets measures in eliminating unregulated liquid nicotine flavors. The law will allow an exception for such products if the FDA issues a marketing order to permit the product to be sold. 

In Florida, nearly 70 percent of voters supported the 2019 ban on vaping in restaurants and workplaces.