It's a concept that has been in the works for the State of Ohio over the last year, a law that would make Ohio the 18th state to raise the smoking age to 21.
That means that anyone under the age of 21, starting on October 17th, cannot buy cigarettes, vapes, chewing tobacco, and other related items. One of the main forces behind raising the age comes from a large number of people starting to smoke at a young age.
"Nationally they’re seeing a problem, and locally you’re going to see that same problem, with more youth using especially electronic cigarettes, and the vapes," said Shelly Miller, health educator with Allen County Public Health. "Statistically adolescents usually start experimenting with tobacco below the age of 18 - typically we see the 13 year-olds, middle schoolers starting to get interested."
Starting to use tobacco so young can be a dangerous thing; young minds are different than adult minds, and Ohio Department of Health director Dr. Amy Acton says that nicotine can affect adolescents - especially e-nicotine products: "With vaping, the nicotine amounts are at a much higher level and the young brain is much more susceptible to the effects of nicotine - so young people are addicted more quickly, and it has what parents are now saying a dramatic effect on behavior and ability to study and learn," Dr. Acton said.
Now with the new law going into effect, stores will have to post signs that say that it is illegal to sell tobacco and alternative nicotine products to anyone under the age of 21. The state says that they have provided retailers with the tools that they will need to start making the change. The state is also offering free resources for those that are thinking about quitting the use of tobacco products through a special helpline.
"1-800-QUIT-NOW - free help with nicotine replacement therapy for all Ohioans, lots of information for schools, for parents, for young people on how to quit," said Dr. Acton.
