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Raise Tobacco Age to 21: NC Advocates Push Bill
10 Jul
Summary
- North Carolina leads the nation in high school e-cigarette use.
- Advocates urge raising the tobacco purchase age to 21.
- A proposed bill aims to create a retailer permit system.
Public health advocates in North Carolina are urging lawmakers to implement stricter measures to combat rising youth tobacco use, particularly concerning e-cigarettes. Data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey indicates a national decline in youth tobacco use, yet North Carolina remains an outlier. Data from 2023 showed high school e-cigarette use at 21.4%, more than double the national rate.
This elevated usage, especially among students, highlights the need for more robust interventions. Advocates point to the prevalence of vaping in schools and the dangers of secondhand smoke. While the state's new budget includes a tax on vape shops and age restrictions for entry, proponents argue these measures do not fully address the issue.
Most young people access tobacco products from convenience stores and gas stations, not exclusively vape shops. Therefore, advocates champion Solly's Law (HB 430), a bipartisan proposal to raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco to 21 and establish a permit system for all retailers. Education on prevention and cessation remains a crucial component of these efforts.
