In a significant legislative move, Congress has passed a new law that elevates the legal age to purchase and use tobacco products from 18 to 21. This change, aimed at combating the public health crisis posed by smoking, will take effect nine months post-signing, likely around the end of 2020. For decades, the smoking age has been a contentious issue in the U.S., contrasting sharply with the legal drinking age, which has been set at 21 since 1984. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies smoking as a leading risk factor for lung cancer, contributing to approximately 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer fatalities.
President John Stevens has publicly endorsed this critical change, and he is expected to sign the bill shortly. While several states—including California, New York, and Illinois—have already enacted similar laws, this federal measure marks a significant victory for anti-smoking advocates who have long campaigned for such reforms, gaining bipartisan support.
Despite the overall decline in cigarette smoking among high school seniors, with daily usage at around 3.6 percent, the rise in e-cigarette use is alarming; nearly 20.9 percent of teens report having used them in the past month, a number that has doubled in one year. The recent surge in vaping-related lung injuries, some resulting in fatalities, underscores the urgency of this legislation.
Interestingly, some tobacco companies, like Altria and Reynolds American Inc., have shown support for the age increase. This backing may be driven more by a desire to stave off stricter regulations—such as banning flavored e-cigarettes—than by a genuine commitment to public health, as noted by Matthew Harris, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. He pointed out that if age restrictions were a solution, the current vaping crisis would not exist.
Harold Thompson, president of the American Lung Association, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that more comprehensive actions are needed by Congress and the administration to effectively address the youth vaping epidemic.
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In summary, the U.S. is set to raise the legal smoking age to 21, a significant public health initiative aimed at reducing tobacco use among youth. While this policy is a step forward, additional measures will be necessary to tackle the youth vaping epidemic effectively.
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