Raising the minimum age for tobacco sales to curb youth smoking

Smoking is a pediatric epidemic. Most people start smoking their first cigarette around the age of 13 or 14, and they quickly become addicted to tobacco products, even without realizing it.

Minimum legal age for the sale of tobacco products

One of the most effective measures to reduce youth access to tobacco products is to establish a minimum age of sale policy. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control includes a specific article on this topic.[1]The effectiveness of this measure depends on its full implementation and therefore effectiveness. Worldwide, where legislation exists in this area, the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes or other tobacco and nicotine products varies between 16 and 25 years (Sri Lanka)[2]. 22 countries report not having a minimum age of sale in place. As countries attempt to limit the devastating consequences of smoking among young people, the increase in the minimum age of tobacco sale to 21 is growing. The "Tobacco 21 law"[3] is gaining more and more momentum throughout the world and particularly in the United States where more and more states are adopting this measure.

Effectiveness of policies to increase the minimum age

THE research show that most adult smokers started using tobacco in their teens. This increases their risk of dying from a tobacco-related disease. Raising the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products is an effective prevention strategy that makes it harder for young people to access tobacco and nicotine products at a time when their brains may be particularly vulnerable. vulnerable to the effects of nicotine. Thus, restrictions on access for young people to products concern both classic tobacco products: traditional cigarettes, rolling tobacco, cigarette papers, as well as new tobacco products (heated tobacco) and nicotine (electronic cigarettes, e-liquids) to avoid any possible transfer.

Key considerations for maximum effectiveness[4]

This provision for increasing the minimum age for selling one of these products appears promising as long as it is implemented on the basis of good practices. As it is a sales ban, the obligation must first and foremost fall on the seller of tobacco products and be accompanied by controls and dissuasive sanctions in the event of non-compliance.

This measure is also part of a global strategy to prevent smoking among young people, including regular and significant tax increases, the development of smoke-free places, the elimination of all promotion of tobacco and nicotine products to ensure consistency with the measure, etc.

To learn more about the ban on sales to minors (in France)