US Officially Raises Tobacco Sales Age to 21

In the United States, a new law banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21 is now in effect, according to the American public agency, the Food and Drug Administration, FDA.

The FDA has indicated that it is now illegal for a retailer to sell tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, etc.) as well as any vaping product (e-cigarettes) to anyone under the age of 21. Raising the legal age to sell tobacco products in the United States from 18 to 21 represents a major public health achievement. Several states had already adopted such a provision. As of December 2019, 19 states had raised the minimum age to sell tobacco products from just 21, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK).[1].

The extension to vaping products comes as youth vaping has increased dramatically and cases of lung disease have been reported across the country linked to misuse of the products. Health organizations have also lobbied government officials to ban flavors that are popular among youth, including the JUUL brand. The latest report from a federal investigation, called Monitoring the Future, revealed that 25% of final year students, 20% of second year students, 10% of middle school students (4^th) report having consumed nicotine through vaping products in the past month.

According to the CTFK president, " Raising the smoking age to 21 is a positive step, but it should not be a substitute for banning flavored e-cigarettes that appeal to youth. Most young e-cigarette users use flavored products and cite flavors as their primary reason for use. As long as flavored e-cigarettes remain available, kids will find ways to get them and this epidemic will continue. ".