Tobacco 21 proposal is lifesaving legislation

Dear Editor: Ulster County leaders have an opportunity to save lives and protect the health of our youth. I’m so excited to learn our county Legislature is considering a bill to prohibit the sale of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to anyone under 21.

Approximately 95 percent of adults who smoke started smoking before the age of 21. Increasing the age for the sale of tobacco products is a promising strategy in the effort to keep kids from beginning this deadly addiction and may decrease their risk of many cancers and other chronic diseases.

Tobacco companies need to addict our kids early as they are the next generation of smokers.

County Executive Mike Hein supports such a law. We hope he will have the opportunity soon to enact this legislation.

A report by the Institute of Medicine, “The Public Health Implications of Raising the Minimum Age of Legal Access to Tobacco Products,” concluded that raising the age for the sale of cigarettes to 21 can significantly lower smoking rates. The report predicts that raising the national minimum age for the sale of tobacco products to 21 will likely lead to a 12 percent reduction in smoking prevalence.

Lawmakers should pass this lifesaving legislation. Sandra Cassese, RN, MSN, CNS American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Woodstock