Tobacco 21 Law

Tobacco 21 Law

Although tobacco is legalized by law, it is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Tobacco control efforts have recently been geared towards raising the minimum age of legally purchasing tobacco to 21 years. This is to raise tobacco-free children and consequently reduce the number of deaths resulting from tobacco use. Raising the age limit is justified because those that are 21 and above are less likely to be hanging out with those that are under 18 years; this reduces the teen’s access to tobacco. Secondly, it would reduce the difficulty in telling whether the buyers are underage, which consequently reduces illegal sales. Thirdly, a high percentage (94%) of adult smokers first experimented before the age of 21 years and 81% before the age of 18 years (Huang et al., 2018). It is expected that the raise will have similar effects as those experienced with alcohol. In alcohol, it led to reduced alcohol consumption among the youth, reduced drunk driving fatalities, and reduced alcohol dependency.

Background

The negative impact of nicotine has necessitated the implementation of this law because nicotine companies usually target young adults as their key market. This has led to an increase in the number of dependency smokers in their adulthood. Research has shown that every day approximately 350 teenagers under 18 years become regular smokers. One in every three will die as a result of smoking (Huang et al., 2018). It is the responsibility of the government and the public, in general, to protect the youth from smoking and consequently save lives. Eleven states have joined in on the Tobacco 21 law and raised the age limit to 21 years. They are Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, New Jersey, Virginia, Utah, and Washington.

History of Tobacco Law 21

Many countries throughout the world have raised the minimum legal age for the purchase and use of tobacco. This includes Singapore, Honduras, Kuwait, Samoa, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Uganda. In Singapore, however, it began to be raised in January 2019 to 19 years, and the age will be raised progressively to 21 years by 2021 (Amul & Pang, 2018). In some countries, the implementation was difficult initially due to resistance and lack of compliance. However, there are countries such as Uganda where compliance was not a problem. After a specific period, compliance rates increased, and the countries started to experience the positive impacts of the legislation, including a reduction in the number of smoking youth and, eventually, a decline in adult smoking-related deaths. The legislation's success in these countries demonstrates the importance of strict enforcement and public awareness campaigns (Adebiyi & Oluwafemi, 2018).

The United States of America

In the USA, the Tobacco 21 campaign was initiated by the Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation, established in 1996, with the primary goal of reducing tobacco's negative impact through preventive measures (Apollonio & Glantz, 2015). Hawaii was the first state to pass the Tobacco 21 bill, with implementation beginning on January 1, 2016. Penalties for violations included fines of $10 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent violations, alongside community service options. Retailers selling to individuals under 21 faced fines ranging from $500 to $2000. Following Hawaii, California signed the law on May 4, 2016, and Washington, D.C., enacted it on October 1, 2018, coupled with a significant cigarette tax increase of 68%, making tobacco products more expensive (Morain & Malek, 2017). The law applies to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, which have become immensely popular among youth.

Impact of Tobacco 21 Legislation

Studies evaluating the implementation of Tobacco 21 laws, notably in California, have found a significant decline in tobacco purchase attempts by youths and a decrease in the prevalence of youth smoking (Zang, Vuong, Andersen-Rodgers, & Roeseler, 2018). These laws have garnered broad support among youth and the general population. Retailers, especially tobacco-only outlets, sometimes violate the law by selling to underage individuals, but enforcement efforts and penalties have helped improve compliance. The legislation's positive effect on public health is evident, with reductions in smoking initiation, and its broader adoption is expected to continue lowering smoking-related morbidity and mortality rates.

Global and Policy Significance

Internationally, countries like Singapore, Samoa, Mongolia, and Sri Lanka have adopted similar age restrictions, with varying degrees of success that often depend on enforcement strength and cultural attitudes. For instance, Singapore's phased increase to 21 years has encountered initial resistance but has shown promising declines in youth smoking as compliance improves (Amul & Pang, 2018). Countries with rigorous enforcement, public health campaigns, and high compliance rates have experienced tangible benefits: decreased youth smoking initiation and long-term reductions in adult smoking-related deaths. The implementation of Tobacco 21 laws in different jurisdictions emphasizes the importance of policy coherence, enforcement, and public awareness to maximize health outcomes (Adebiyi & Oluwafemi, 2018).

Conclusion

The evidence from various countries and US states demonstrates how raising the legal age for tobacco purchase to 21 significantly reduces youth smoking initiation and associated health risks. As tobacco companies continue to target young adults, legislative measures like Tobacco 21 are essential public health strategies. Successful implementation hinges on enforcement, public education, and broad stakeholder engagement, which collectively contribute to the ultimate goal of reducing tobacco-related disease burden and promoting healthier communities.

References

• Adebiyi, A. O., & Oluwafemi, A. (2017). Assessment of tobacco control efforts in three sub-Saharan African countries. Nigerian postgraduate medical Journal, 24(1), 8.
• Amul, G. G. H., & Pang, T. (2018). Progress in tobacco control in Singapore: Lessons and challenges in the implementation of the framework convention on tobacco control. Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies, 5(1).
• Apollonio, D. E., & Glantz, S. A. (2015). Minimum ages of legal access for tobacco in the United States from 1863 to 2015. American Journal of Public Health, 106(7).
• Huang, L. L., Lazard, A., Pepper, J., Noar, S., Ranney, L., & Goldstein, A. (2018). Impact of The Real Cost campaign on adolescents’ recall, attitudes, and risk perceptions about tobacco use: a national study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(1), 42.
• Morain, S. R., & Malek, J. (2017). Minimum age of sale for tobacco products and electronic cigarettes: ethical acceptability of US “tobacco 21” laws. American Journal of Public Health, 107(9).
• Zang, V., Vuong, T. D., Andersen-Rodgers, E., & Roeseler, A. (2018). Evaluation of California’s ‘Tobacco 21’ law. Tobacco Control, 27(6), 688–694.