“US Implements Landmark Change: Raising Legal Age to Buy Cigarettes Sparks Nationwide Debate and Alters the Future of Tobacco Sales.H
Accordingly, the sale of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to people under 30 years old requires photo identification. The old regulation applied to people under 27 years old.
Tobacco retailers will need to verify the age of all customers under 30 and will not be allowed to sell tobacco products through vending machines in locations and facilities that are frequented or permitted to be accessed by people under 21.
Previously, in 2019, the agency raised the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 years old.
There are about 37 million children in the world who smoke cigarettes. The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on governments to act quickly to protect the country’s future generations.
Experts say that in recent years, the fight to prevent the dangers of tobacco has made significant progress, but still faces challenges as e-cigarettes become increasingly popular.
US health officials last year released alarming statistics, estimating that about 2.55 million middle and high school students in the country used e-cigarettes, at a level that was considered “worrying” for health.
The United States has made a significant move by raising the legal age to purchase cigarettes, a decision that has sparked widespread debate across the nation. The new legislation, which increases the age from 18 to 21, is part of a broader effort to curb youth smoking and address public health concerns. Proponents argue that raising the age will make it more difficult for teenagers to access tobacco products, potentially reducing the number of young people who start smoking. They believe this change will have long-term benefits for public health, including lower rates of smoking-related illnesses and healthcare costs.
However, the decision has also faced criticism from those who view it as an overreach of government authority. Some argue that at 18, individuals are considered adults capable of making their own decisions, including whether to smoke. Tobacco companies and retailers are also concerned about the potential impact on sales and the economic consequences of the new age limit. As the law takes effect, its success in reducing smoking rates among young people will be closely monitored, and it may serve as a model for other countries considering similar measures. The change marks a significant shift in the U.S. approach to tobacco regulation.
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