As a co-patron of SB 1727, the Virginia bill to increase the legal smoking age from 18 to 21, I was incredibly grateful to see Congress pass this legislation on the federal level late last year, which is commonly known as “Tobacco 21.” This was one of the few noncontroversial policies supported by large majorities of both parties in the House and the Senate, President Trump, and 73% of Americans. And it is becoming even clearer why that is — because Tobacco 21 is effective at reducing teenage usage of tobacco products.
One of the major catalysts for Congress’ Tobacco 21 push was the shocking and unsettling rise in teenage vaping that has occurred over the past few years. For example, the rate of 12th graders who reported vaping in the 30 days before being surveyed doubled from January 2017 to January 2018. This increase was alarming given the steady decline in teenage usage of traditional cigarettes, which is at an all-time low.
Tobacco 21 has been researched extensively and consistently proves effective at keeping tobacco products out of the hands of teenagers. One study found that 18- to 20-year-olds who live in an area that raised the legal age to buy tobacco products to 21 showed a 39% drop in regular smoking.
Many teenagers under 18 get their tobacco products from social sources, with one survey showing a majority of 18- and 19-year-olds have been asked by someone under 18 years to buy cigarettes for them. High school students are much less likely to have 21-year-old adult friends than 18- to 20-year-old adults in their social circles, meaning that Tobacco 21 will reduce the opportunities for minors to access tobacco from legal buyers.
To put the need to decrease teenage smoking into perspective, the National Academy of Medicine issued a report that revealed Tobacco 21 legislation could prevent 223,000 deaths among people born between 2000 and 2019.
Before the federal Tobacco 21 law passed, states and localities had passed similar legislation that increased the smoking age. In Virginia, which has a 400-year history of growing tobacco and is one of the leading tobacco producing states, we were able to pass Tobacco 21 with bipartisan support in both chambers of the state legislature because this epidemic was sweeping the commonwealth.
Importantly, states that passed Tobacco 21 have seen “significant reductions in cigarette smoking among young adults.” And the early results from states that had not previously passed Tobacco 21 laws but are now working on getting in line with federal regulations are following this same trend.
Nevada saw a rapid decrease in youth tobacco sales violations, from 26.7% in 2019 down to 9.1% this year. Hillary Bunker, who is the head of the Tobacco Enforcement Unit in the Nevada attorney general’s office, pointed to Tobacco 21 legislation passing on the federal level as the key reason for the decrease. In Nevada’s 2021 legislative session, we can expect to see the state pass a Tobacco 21 law, that will bring the state into compliance with federal law.
As states with differing legislative sessions and priorities continue to work to pass this legislation on the state level to bring their laws into compliance with the federal bill, we can expect to read more positive stories about the decrease in teenage smoking. During an unprecedented time of vicious partisanship, it’s rare to see both sides of the aisle pass a bill with overwhelming support from the American people that is actually having an unquestionably positive impact on the health of the next generation. Thankfully, Tobacco 21 seems to be the exception.
Bryce Reeves is a state senator representing Virginia’s 17th District.
