New Law Raises Age To Buy Tobacco In University Heights

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OH — Residents and visitors to University Heights must now be 21 to purchase tobacco products. The new law went into effect this week.

More than 20 cities and towns around Ohio have raised the age for purchasing tobacco. University Heights joined that trend in late March when city council approved the law change.

Like other communities that adopted similar legislation, University Heights officials said they were partly motivated by the widespread use of vaping products. University Heights City Council approved the legislation unanimously.

Councilwoman Michele Weiss introduced the legislation. She told the Heights Observer that the "vaping epidemic" had negatively impacted the nation's slow migration away from tobacco use and nicotine addiction.

Lakewood passed legislation on the same night as University Heights to raise its purchasing age for tobacco. Lakewood's Ward 3 Councilperson John Litten also cited the surge in vape usage and its impact on smoking rates among youth.

"After considering that 95 percent of addicted smokers initiate smoking before age 21 and seeing how similar laws have reduced rates of tobacco use in other communities, I was compelled to bring this proposal before my Council colleagues," said Litten.

University Heights Police wasted no time in letting residents know the new law was now in effect. The department posted to Facebook at midnight on Wednesday.