The South Carolina House has given key approval to a bill that would keep local governments from passing any additional regulations on cigarettes or electronic cigarettes.
The House voted 69-37 on Wednesday on the proposal that prevents local bans on ingredients, flavors or the licensing of tobacco products.
Supporters say the ban would prevent a patchwork of regulations. The House has already passed a bill banning minors from entering vaping shops and other places that sell electronic cigarettes.
The House debated the bill for about an hour. Some lawmakers compared it to a proposal to prevent local governments from banning plastic bags.
The tobacco bill will move on to the Senate after a last perfunctory vote.
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