America is facing an unprecedented rise in underage tobacco use. The number of middle and high schoolers who have used electronic cigarettes in the past month has skyrocketed and it shows no signs of slowing down.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 of every 20 middle school students and 1 of every 5 high schoolers have used an e-cigarette in the last month. These numbers represent an 80% increase for high school students and a 50% increase for middle school students -- the U.S. Surgeon General has called the rise in youth tobacco use an “epidemic.”
How can you help reduce the number of teenagers using tobacco?
Most teenagers get their hands on tobacco products through “social access.” Social access means that underage users acquire tobacco products through friends or siblings who are of legal age to purchase tobacco. Almost 9 in 10 cigarette smokers try their first cigarette by age 18 -- cutting down on this number would reduce underage tobacco use and result in massive future health benefits for Hoosiers across Indiana.
80% of high schoolers turn 18 before they graduate and are able to purchase tobacco for themselves and their friends. Creating a 21+ age limit on tobacco would put tobacco laws in line with alcohol and marijuana regulations (in states where it is legal to use recreationally) and strictly limit “social access” to tobacco for Indiana youths.
By raising the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products to 21, Americans can help slow down the e-cigarette epidemic and reduce the number of American youths who use tobacco.
It’s time for Indiana to do the right thing.
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"If cigarette smoking continues at the current rate among youth in this country, 5.6 million of today’s Americans younger than 18 will die early from a smoking-related illness. That’s about 1 of every 13 Americans aged 17 years or younger who are alive today.” - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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