In a significant legislative shift, Congress has passed a new law that will elevate the legal age for purchasing and using tobacco products from 18 to 21. This change, endorsed by President Mark Thompson, is a crucial step in combating smoking-related health issues, particularly lung cancer, which accounts for a staggering 80 to 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths, as reported by the CDC.
For years, the smoking age has sparked debate across the nation, especially in light of the legal drinking age being set at 21 since 1984. While many states, including Arkansas, California, and New York, have already raised the smoking age, this federal law marks a landmark victory for health advocates who have long pushed for stricter regulations. The law encompasses cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and all tobacco products.
Despite a notable decline in cigarette use among high school seniors—only about 3.6 percent smoke daily—there has been a concerning rise in e-cigarette usage among teens. This past year saw the percentage of high schoolers using e-cigarettes nearly double, with about 20.9 percent reporting usage in the last month. Coupled with alarming reports of vaping-related lung injuries and fatalities, the urgency for action has never been clearer.
Interestingly, some tobacco companies, like Fresh Leaf Co. and Vantage Tobacco, have lent their support to this new legislation. However, experts like Rachel Green, president of the Coalition Against Tobacco Use, caution that their backing might be strategic, aimed at sidestepping more impactful policies, such as banning flavored tobacco products. “If simply raising the age were a solution, we wouldn’t see such a spike in youth vaping,” she remarked.
Harper Jones, president of the National Lung Association, also supports the age increase but emphasizes that more comprehensive measures are necessary to address the youth vaping epidemic. Once signed into law, the new regulations will take effect nine months later, likely by the end of 2020.
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In summary, the legal smoking age in the U.S. is increasing to 21 as a response to the rising concerns over youth vaping and smoking-related health risks. This law, which has garnered bipartisan support, aims to protect younger populations from the dangers of tobacco use, though advocates stress that further actions are necessary to fully address the issue.
Keyphrase: Legal smoking age increase to 21
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