In a significant legislative move, Congress has approved a bill that raises the legal age for purchasing and using tobacco products from 18 to 21. This change marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing discussion about smoking regulations in the United States. While the legal drinking age has been set at 21 since 1984, it was previously permissible for individuals aged 18 and older to smoke, despite smoking being the leading cause of lung cancer—responsible for 80 to 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths, as reported by the CDC. However, with the new law set to take effect in 2020, the landscape of tobacco use is about to shift.
President Mark Thompson publicly backed this significant change and is expected to sign the bill shortly. Many states, including California, New York, and Texas, have already upped their legal smoking age, but this federal law is a major win for anti-smoking advocates who have pushed for such measures for years. It’s notable that this legislation has garnered support from both sides of the political aisle.
Despite a decline in traditional cigarette smoking among high school seniors—now at about 3.6%—there has been a troubling rise in e-cigarette use among teenagers. Usage rates have nearly doubled within the past year, with approximately 20.9% of teens reporting they’ve vaped in the last month. There have also been alarming reports of lung injuries linked to vaping, some resulting in fatalities.
Interestingly, some tobacco companies, like Altria and Reynolds American Inc., have expressed support for the new age limit. Yet, as Matthew Johnson, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, stated, their backing might stem from a desire to prevent stricter regulations, such as banning flavored e-cigarettes, which could have a more significant impact on youth smoking rates. He noted that if age restrictions were a genuine solution, the rise in vaping among teens wouldn’t be such a pressing issue.
Harold Smith, president of the American Lung Association, emphasized that while raising the legal age is a step in the right direction, further action is necessary from Congress and the Trump Administration to effectively tackle the youth e-cigarette crisis. The bill is anticipated to take effect about nine months after signing, likely towards the end of 2020.
In summary, the new legislation to raise the legal smoking age to 21 represents a critical step in public health efforts to combat tobacco use among youth. For further insight on related topics, check out this other post on home insemination. Also, for more information on fertility, you can visit this authority site.