U.S. history of tobacco minimum purchase age by state

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U.S. History of Tobacco Minimum Purchase Age by State

The history of the minimum purchase age for tobacco products in the United States has evolved significantly over the years. The minimum age to purchase tobacco products is determined by both federal and state laws, with states having the authority to set stricter regulations than those mandated by the federal government.

Federal Regulations

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 granted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate the manufacturing, distribution, and marketing of tobacco products. Initially, the federal minimum age to purchase tobacco was set at 18 years. However, in December 2019, the federal minimum age was raised to 21 years with the passage of the Tobacco 21 law, which amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

State Regulations

Individual states have the authority to set their own minimum purchase ages for tobacco products, and many states had already raised the minimum age to 21 before the federal law was enacted. Below is a historical overview of the minimum purchase age for tobacco by state:

Early Regulations

In the early 20th century, many states began to implement age restrictions on the purchase of tobacco products. By the mid-20th century, the minimum age was commonly set at 18 years across most states.

21st Century Changes

In the 21st century, there was a significant movement towards raising the minimum purchase age to 21. This movement was driven by public health advocacy groups and supported by research indicating that raising the age could reduce smoking rates among youth.

• California: In 2016, California became one of the first states to raise the minimum purchase age for tobacco to 21.
• Hawaii: Hawaii was the first state to raise the minimum age to 21, doing so in 2015.
• New York: New York raised the minimum age to 21 in 2019, just before the federal law was enacted.
• Massachusetts: Massachusetts also raised the minimum age to 21 in 2018.

Impact of Tobacco 21

The implementation of the Tobacco 21 law has had a significant impact on reducing youth access to tobacco products. Studies have shown that raising the minimum purchase age to 21 can lead to a decrease in smoking rates among teenagers and young adults.

Enforcement and Compliance

Enforcement of the minimum purchase age for tobacco products is typically carried out by state and local authorities. Retailers are required to verify the age of purchasers, and penalties for non-compliance can include fines and the suspension of tobacco sales licenses.

See Also

• Smoking age
• Tobacco control
• Public health
• Youth smoking