Luke Skywalker
Super Moderator
{vb:raw ozzmodz_postquote}:
Hawaii has become the first state to raise the smoking age to 21.
The new law —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>which went into effect<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Jan. 1 — bans those under 21 from buying tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes.
Most smokers start smoking before age 21, and about half become daily smokers before 18, the Hawaii State Department of Health said in a press release.
While smoking has decreased greatly in Hawaii, use of e-cigarettes is on the rise. 22% of high school students have tried e-cigarettes, compared with only 5%<span style="color: Red;">*</span>in 2011, according to the same release.
The act is an effort to reverse this trend by making e-cigarettes less accessible and less attractive, said Lola Irvin, Administrator for the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division.
“Prevention is the best strategy, and youth are especially vulnerable to nicotine addiction,” Irvin said in the release. “By prohibiting their use in public places, the new laws encourage a no-smoking norm.”
Hawaii, health, smoking, tobacco, tobacco ban, smoking ban, Lola Irvin, non-smoking, News<span style="color: Red;">*</span>
Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full Text RSS Feed