Age limit to buy cigarettes and cigars rises to 21 across ALL US states
THE LEGAL age to buy cigarettes in anywhere in the US has been raised to 21.
A new law was passed by the president last week raising the minimum age for buying ANY tobacco related products from 18 to 21.
The restriction applies to cigarettes, cigars and all related cigarette products as well as the sale of electronic cigarettes.
Some states including California, Texas and New York already prohibit the sale of tobacco to anyone under 21 but the new law now means all stores in the country must comply with the restriction.
The change was part of a wider spending bill which was approved by congress and signed by president Trump on December 20.
Mr Trump branded the bill as "BIG".
He said: "I will be signing our 738 Billion Dollar Defense Spending Bill today. It will include 12 weeks Paid Parental Leave, gives our troops a raise, importantly creates the SPACE FORCE, SOUTHERN BORDER WALL FUNDING, repeals “Cadillac Tax” on Health Plans, raises smoking age to 21! BIG!"
Usually laws take some time to come into affect but as this was a change in age restriction it has come into affect immediately, the Food and Drink Agency said.
The FDA has regulated all tobacco products in the US since 2009.
Dr Stephen M. Hahn, commissioner at the FDA, said: "This is a major step in protecting the next generation of children from becoming addicted to tobacco products. Tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, should never be marketed to, sold to, or used by kids."
Anti-smoking campaigners say the higher age limit should make it more difficult for young people to buys cigarettes.
On Twitter Al said: "I’m really concerned that people are so distraught about the smoking age being raised to 21. Kids get addicted to smoking and it ruins their life and life span. What’s so bad about waiting a bit to mature a little more and then making that decision?"
However others have branded the change as "cruel" to those youngsters already addicted.
Sammaye Nichols said: "Taking away products from people who are already addicted between 18-20 is cruel and wrong, I personally will not have any option other than to buy vape juice from a black market which I DO NOT want to do. But it’s still gonna be better having someone buy me cigs.
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Haylee said: "So if I'm 19 and already highly addicted to nicotine what am I supposed to do now that the smoking age has been raised to 21.
"Like genuinely I'm very confused what my options are."
Jake said: "I’ll be honest, I’m not one for political issues but I think raising the smoking age to 21 was a major screw up. It’s totally outrageous."
