New Tobacco Law and Its Effects
The age to purchase tobacco products raised from 18-21 Jan. 1 across the state of Washington.
Washington is one of 15 states that will enact this bill. Other states include Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia.
The Washington State Senate passed this bill in an effort to curve the teen vaping issue by taking away nicotine’s availability to teens.
“I’m happy about the new law,” Shelly Walker, the PHS Health Assistant said. “Vaping is so much worse for you than you think. Kids need to realize that they’re Guinea Pigs with this stuff. It changes brain development.”
With raising the minimum age to purchase these products older students will no longer be able to purchase tobacco products for younger students, according to a 2015 Institute of Medicine Report. In a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control, nearly 9-10 cigarette smokers first try cigarette smoking by the age of 18.
Alana Wood is a junior writer with a passion for giving timely, newsworthy information to the Puyallup High School student body and community at large.
