Raise the age for buying, using tobacco

I was surprised and thankful to hear that so many Ohioans live in communities that have raised the minimum age of tobacco sales to 21. But I had to wonder – why hasn’t the entire state followed their lead?

We all know that tobacco products lead to a lifetime of deadly addiction and that the tobacco industry targets young people to buy their products. But if we can keep kids from picking up tobacco before they turn 21, they will be less likely to begin an addiction later in life. In fact, the National Institute of Medicine estimates that raising the national minimum age of tobacco sales to 21 years old would reduce smoking initiation by as much as 25% for 15-17 year olds.

Raising the age of sale to 21, along with a comprehensive tobacco control strategy including fully funding Ohio’s tobacco prevention and cessation program and regular and significant tobacco tax increases, gives Ohio the opportunity to reduce tobacco use in our state.

With Ohio’s above-average high school smoking rate, just think about how many lives we could save. So many young people are beginning tobacco addictions before they even have a chance to grow up. It’s time for our entire state to prioritize youth health and raise the minimum age of tobacco sales.

I am hopeful now that it has passed the House that the Senate will strengthen and add the imperative language to the legislation before them to make it more impactful, such as strong enforcement, retailer compliance, covering all tobacco products especially e-cigarettes, and penalties for the sellers. I am thrilled that our State Rep. Kyle Koehler and Sen. Bob Hackett support efforts currently underway to raise the minimum age of sale to 21 years old and thank them for being on the side of our schools, families and communities. TOM PAMER, SPRINGFIELD