Meriden Considers Raising Age For Tobacco, Vaping Purchases

MERIDEN, CT - The city is one of several in the state considering raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco and e-cigarette products to 21. The ordinance dubbed "Tobacco 21" has been adopted by 370 communities in 22 states.

"The goal of Tobacco 21 is to reduce the rates of tobacco and nicotine usage among young people to improve health and save lives," a statement on the city's website reads. "Nearly all smokers start as kids or young adults, and these age groups are heavily targeted by the tobacco industry. Increasing the tobacco age to 21 will help to prevent young people from ever starting to smoke and to reduce the deaths, disease and health care costs caused by tobacco use. In Meriden, the latest youth health and wellbeing survey reports that overall 9% of Meriden youth in grades 7 through 12 have used a vaping device over the past 30 days; this number exceeds 10% for those in grades 8, 9, and 10."

For more information, go to the city's website.

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