The State of California recently sided with Hawaii and raised the age of buying tobacco products to 21 years old, a new tactic that is designed to reduce the amount of tobacco products that teenagers use.
This means that stores are no longer allowed to sell tobacco products to customers who are less than 21 years old. The goal is to reduce or prevent the chances of teenagers developing early addictions to harmful tobacco products.
Previously, California’s high school students who were 18 years old could buy tobacco products. Then they could sell the products to minors without much difficulty.
By raising the minimum purchasing age to 21 years old, health experts and politicians believe high schools will see a decrease in tobacco product use.
In addition, Jerry Brown, governor of California, signed a bill that raised the smoke-free workplaces law throughout California. This action prohibits smoking within small businesses and hotels. It also categorizes e-cigarettes with tobacco products. The legislation mandates that all California schools maintain a tobacco-free status.
Brown and other supporters hope that these actions will reduce and prevent the ongoing tobacco addiction problem. Experts hope the new laws will encourage voters to support a $2-per-pack tax increase on tobacco products this November.
