Increasing the age limit for purchasing tobacco products is expected to help reduce teen smoking.
Hawaii has become the first state to raise the tobacco sale age to 21, but with the precedent now set, other states are expected to follow suit.
Hawaii anticipates that this change will reduce smoking among young people which will, in turn, save lives, and potentially encourage the next generation to become tobacco free.
Across the country, the age of sale for tobacco has been up for debate. Many believe that the legal age for the sale of tobacco should be increased, but few areas have actually made the change. Previously only counties had moved to raise the legal age, but now there has been a solitary statewide movement. Raising of the legal sale of tobacco age has a great deal of support, and it is likely that Hawaii will not be the last to make this change.
“Today’s action continues the growing momentum in support of raising the age of sale for tobacco to 21. The California Senate recently approved similar legislation, which is now before that state’s General Assembly. Hawaii has provided a tremendous boost for these efforts, and we are eager to see more states and communities moving in this wise direction,” said Matthew Myers, president, for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids in a statement. “Governor Ige and Hawaii lawmakers have listened to the state’s voters and youth, and their action will improve the state’s health for generations to come. The Hawaii law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2016. Hawaii joins at least 68 cities and counties in eight states that have raised the tobacco age of sale to 21.”
A March report by the prestigious Institute of Medicine concluded that increasing the tobacco sale age would yield substantial public health benefits. The report found that increasing the sale age to 21 would significantly reduce the number of adolescents and young adults who start smoking; reduce smoking-caused deaths; and immediately improve the health of adolescents, young adults and young mothers who would be deterred from smoking, as well as their children.
