Smoking Age: Should Florida Raise It?

As the war against tobacco use intensifies, Hawaii has made history by becoming the first state in the nation to raise the legal age to light up to 21.

Gov. David Ige signed the new measure into law on Friday. It goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2016.

“Raising the minimum age as part of our comprehensive tobacco control efforts will help reduce tobacco use among our youth and increase the likelihood that our keiki (children) will grow up to be tobacco-free,” said Ige in a statement.

In Hawaii, an estimated 86 percent of current adult smokers picked up the habit, linked to such potentially fatal conditions as cancer and heart disease, before they were age 21. Some 34 percent start smoking between the age of 18 and 20, the state reported.

Hawaiian leaders seem to hope the move will set an example other states will follow. As it stands now, most states, including Florida, have a legal smoking age of 18. The only exceptions are Alabama, Alaska, New Jersey and Utah, where the age is 19.

“If the MLA were changed to age 21 nationally, it is estimated that there would be approximately 223,000 fewer premature deaths, 50,000 fewer deaths from lung cancer, and 4.2 million fewer years of life lost for those born between 2000 and 2019,” the statement said. “By the year 2100, the age 21 MLA would significantly improve maternal and fetal outcomes and lead to reductions in youth exposure to secondhand smoke and its associated health effects, as well as reductions in substance abuse.”

What do you think about the legislation? Is Hawaii setting an example other states, including Florida, should follow? Share your thoughts by commenting below!

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