Congress is Raising the Legal Age to Buy Vaping Products from 18 to 21
The House of Representatives passed a $1.4 trillion spending package of which includes prohibiting the sales of cigarettes, vape pens, cigars, and any other tobacco products to customers under the age of 21. The legislation is now on its way to the Senate, where it’s expected to have President Donald Trump sign it into law.
Congress has been pushing heavily to have the minimum age raised to buy tobacco products in attempt to put an end to a teen vaping epidemic. In recent months, President Donald Trump proposed banning flavored vapes to help decrease vaping usage. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the District of Columbia, along with nineteen other states have already taken initiative at the state level to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to people under the legal age of 21.
In May, The Tobacco-Free Youth Act by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Tim Kaine was introduced to raise the minimum age to 21 at the federal level.
“This legislation will have an enormous positive impact on public health in our country””and it’s needed now more than ever as we grapple with the youth e-cigarette epidemic,” Kaine tweeted. McConnell had also shared his thoughts on the bill, “The Tobacco-Free Youth Act would help stem the tide of alarming #Kentucky youth nicotine trends by making it unlawful for retailers to sell tobacco products to anyone younger than 21. I look forward to its passage and the President’s signature.”
The American Lung Association reported that 94% of adult smokers tried their first cigarette before turning the age 21. The National Academy of Scientists estimated that raising the age of tobacco sales to 21 would result in a 12% decrease in tobacco use, while also reducing the number of deaths caused by these products.
Large tobacco firms have begun to support raising the legal age on smoking and vaping products after putting up a fight for years. With Congress on board, the legal age to now buy these products will turn to 21 and help increase the lifespan and health of our teenage youth.
We’re thrilled to see changes being made at the federal level and look forward to this bill becoming a law this year. Our team will continue to take strides to make an impact on the vaping epidemic. We are proud to represent the Jefferson, Bullitt and Fayette County Public Schools in their fight against vape manufacturer Juul and are here to support any others that are looking for justice against vape manufacturers. At Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery, we believe in reform and to fight for the lives of our teens. If you have any questions about vaping lawsuits, contact our team and we’d be happy to assist.
Contact the Louisville Product Liability Law Firm of Hendy Johnson Vaughn Emery for Help Today
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