Indiana State: New Federal Law Raising Smoking and Vaping Age Goes Into Effect

In order to combat the rise of e-cigarettes among middle and high school students, the American government amended a law in December 2019 raising the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 years old[1]. This measure, long supported by Democrats and Republicans, came into effect on July 1, 2020 in the state of Indiana and throughout the United States..[2].

Enforcement of Federal Tobacco Sales Legislation

Tobacco products and electronic cigarettes therefore join the alcoholic beverages for which sale to those under 21 is prohibited.

As a result, distributors will be prohibited from selling tobacco to any consumer under the age of 21. In the event of non-compliance and violation of the law, retailers will then have to pay a fine of $400, which is double the amount of the initial fine of $200.

A measure to reduce smoking

The law raising the legal age to purchase tobacco and tobacco-related products in the United States from 18 to 21 represents a major step forward in tobacco control and could have a significant long-term impact on public health when “two out of three adolescents who experiment with cigarettes can no longer do without them”[3].

As one of the US states with one of the highest smoking rates[4], the state of Indiana has implemented in collaboration with the organization Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission of the Indiana State Department of Health (TPC), a tobacco control program aimed at reducing the use of all tobacco products in Indiana as well as reducing exposure to tobacco smoke[5].

Additionally, of the estimated $556.9 million in tobacco tax revenue, the state of Indiana directed nearly $7.5 million in state funds to tobacco prevention in fiscal year 2019, or $10.21 billion of the state's annual spending target. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[6]

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[1] DNF, When the US Army tackles the scourge of smoking in its ranks, Tobacco Free Generation (May 11, 2020 - accessed July 7, 2020). [2] SPRINGGATE Jack, Indiana officially raises age to buy tobacco products to 21 on July 1st, www.wndu.com (June 29, 2020 - consulted on July 7, 2020). [3] CNCT, Raising the minimum age for tobacco sales to curb youth smoking, Tobacco-Free Generation (July 7, 2020 - accessed July 7, 2020). [4] What do the US states with the highest smoking rates have in common?, www.truthinitiative.org (June 6, 2019 - accessed July 7, 2020). [5] Indiana Tobacco Control 2020 Strategic Plan (accessed July 7, 2020). [6] Tobacco use in Indiana 2019, www.truthinitiative.org (June 28, 2019 - accessed July 7, 2020). DNF - For a Zero Tobacco World | ML