how old do you have to be to buy cigarettes
Raising the Legal Age to Buy Tobacco: A Step Towards Preventing Youth Smoking
how old do you have to be to buy cigarettes
## Introduction Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and it poses a significant threat to the health of young individuals. In an effort to combat this issue, there have been discussions and actions taken to raise the legal age to buy tobacco products. This article will delve into the reasons behind raising the legal age, the impact it can have on youth smoking rates, and the implementation of the federal Tobacco 21 law.
The Need for Change: Youth Tobacco Product Use
Youth tobacco product use has become a concerning issue in recent years. According to data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey, more than 11% of all students currently use tobacco products. Among high school students, e-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product, followed by cigars and cigarettes. These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective measures to curb youth smoking rates.
The National Tobacco 21 Law
In December 2019, the federal Tobacco 21 law was passed to address the issue of underage tobacco use. This law raised the national purchase age for all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to 21 years old. Previously, many high school students would turn 18 during their senior year, allowing them to purchase tobacco products for younger students. By raising the legal age, the law aims to restrict access to tobacco products for adolescents and protect them from the harmful effects of smoking.
Impact on Youth Smoking Rates
The implementation of a Tobacco 21 law can have a significant impact on youth smoking rates. Research has shown that the majority of smokers start before the age of 18, often obtaining cigarettes from older friends. By raising the tobacco purchase age to 21, it becomes more difficult for high school students and young college students to buy tobacco products for their younger peers. This barrier can prevent or delay the initiation of tobacco use among adolescents, potentially reducing the number of future smokers.
Parallels with Alcohol Laws
Setting the legal age to purchase tobacco products at 21 aligns with the laws regarding alcohol consumption. Raising the legal drinking age to 21 has proven effective in reducing drunk driving fatalities and alcohol dependence among youth. By adopting a similar approach for tobacco, policymakers hope to achieve similar positive outcomes in reducing smoking rates among young individuals.
Coverage of the Federal Tobacco 21 Law
The federal Tobacco 21 law covers a wide range of tobacco products, including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, electronic nicotine delivery systems (e-cigarettes), and hookah. It places the responsibility on retailers, making it illegal to sell any tobacco product to a minor under the age of 21. The law focuses on enforcing compliance through fines and penalties for retailers rather than penalizing underage tobacco users for possession.
Benefits of Raising the Legal Age
Raising the legal age to buy tobacco products has several benefits. Firstly, it recognizes the susceptibility of youth brains to the addictive properties of nicotine, as their brains are still developing. By delaying their exposure to tobacco, there is a higher chance of preventing addiction and its associated health risks. Secondly, it reduces the availability of tobacco products to younger individuals, making it harder for them to start smoking. Finally, setting the purchase age at 21 brings consistency with alcohol laws, reinforcing the message that both substances pose significant health risks and should be treated with equal caution.
Additional Information: Protecting Kids from Tobacco’s Harms
To further protect children and adolescents from the harms of tobacco, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has developed a policy to educate parents and healthcare providers. The AAP emphasizes the dangers of e-cigarettes, alternative forms of tobacco, and the importance of creating smoke-free environments for children. They also provide resources such as the AAP Family Media Plan and the HealthyChildren Texting Program to aid parents in addressing tobacco use with their children.
Conclusion
Raising the legal age to buy tobacco products is a crucial step towards preventing youth smoking and reducing the associated health risks. The federal Tobacco 21 law, enacted in 2019, aims to restrict access to tobacco for individuals under the age of 21. By aligning with alcohol laws and implementing fines for non-compliant retailers, this law intends to protect adolescents from the harmful effects of tobacco. Continued efforts, including educational initiatives and creating smoke-free environments, are essential to further safeguarding children and adolescents from the harms of tobacco use.