“Tobacco21” Takes Effect Today

[October 17, 2019]

Tobacco 21 LawOhio’s new law that raises the age to buy tobacco to 21 goes into effect today, raising the age to purchase cigarettes, other tobacco products, and alternative nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and vaping products from 18 to 21. The OOA has long supported Tobacco 21 legislation.

The effort aims to reduce the number of young people who use and become addicted to tobacco products and, ultimately, help to reduce the disease and premature death that these products cause. According to the American Lung Association, about 94 percent of adult smokers had their first cigarette before turning 21. Over 80 percent started before age 18. Statistics also show that more than one in five adults in Ohio smoke, which is among the highest rates in the nation.

Tobacco 21 applies to cigarettes; electronic smoking devices such as vapes, e-cigarettes, and tanks; cigars; pipe tobacco; chewing tobacco; snuff; snus; dissolvable nicotine products; filters, rolling papers, pipes, blunts, or hemp wraps; liquids used in electronic smoking devices whether or not they contain nicotine; and vapor products – any component, part, or additive that is intended for use in an electronic smoking device, a mechanical heating element, battery, or electronic circuit and is used to deliver the product.

The new law, included in the state’s biennial budget bill that was signed by Gov. Mike DeWine in July, makes Ohio the 18th state to adopt a Tobacco 21 law.

The Ohio Tobacco Quit Line, 1-800-QUIT-NOW, offers personal coaching and telephone counseling free of charge to all Ohioans, regardless of insurance status or income.

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