Raising Legal Age for Tobacco Consumption Will Save Lives, Report Says

According to a report released by a panel of scientists on Thursday, raising the legal age for buying cigarettes could go a long way towards preventing teenagers from developing a smoking habit.

The panel feels that by increasing the legal minimum age to 21, hundreds of thousands of teenagers (especially 15-17 year olds) could be discouraged from trying out their first cigarette over next few decades.

The legal age for buying cigarettes in most states in the US today is 18. Alaska, Alabama, New Jersey and Utah are the only 4 states that allow the sale of tobacco to individuals who are 19 years or older. 58 localities in 7 states, including New York City have banned the sale of cigarettes to people who are under 21.

Studies have shown close to 95 per cent of the people pick up the habit before they turn 21. By increasing the legal age limit, it would become harder for students to procure cigarettes or to get it from their senior friends at high school.                                                                                                  

"With 2,800 youth trying their first cigarette every day and many using multiple tobacco products, powerful interventions are needed to keep youth from lifelong addictions to these deadly products," says Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

Brian May, spokesperson for tobacco giant Altria which was formerly known as Philip Morris was against increasing the legal age limit.

He said, "Our perspective is that this is a complex issue and Congress has established a thoughtful process to better understand it," May says. "We believe states and localities should defer to this process and allow Congress the opportunity to think through this issue further before enacting different minimum-age laws."