Sorry, teenage wannabe smokers, you may need to look for another money (and health) wasting pastime. As reported by The LA Times, the California Assembly passed an anti-tobacco bill that increases the legal smoking age from 18 to 21. The measures, introduced by Democrat state senator Mark Leno, also ban the use of electronic cigarettes where regular smoking is already prohibited. To top it off, the bill restricts the marketing and selling of e-cigarettes to minors (which makes sense, seeing as they probably cause cancer and all).
Wait, Teens Still Smoke?
While smoking once helped teens seem edgy and cool, the times they are a’changing and fewer of them are picking up cancer sticks than ever (it’s safe to say that the reality of what smoking does is now pretty universally accepted). So, in an attempt to make nicotine hip again (or to help people quit, depending on who you’re talking to), e-cigarettes flavored with chocolate, cotton candy and bubblegum exploded a few years ago. The push to capture the tween market was so successful that the number of middle and high school students “vaping” tripled between 2013 and 2014, according to the CDC.
Republicans Objected the Bill, Obviously
Ever keen on protecting their right to kill themselves, Republicans (and four Democrats) opposed the bill, saying it was “unfair” to take away the decision to smoke from teens. Revoking the privilege from 18-year-olds who can vote, sign contracts, marry and join the military (none of which have addictive side effects as far as I know) is “an absolute outrage,” according to Republican Assemblyman Matthew Harper.
Some veterans groups also opposed the measures, causing Democrats to obediently amend the bill, allowing under-21s in active military service to smoke ‘em if they got ‘em.
Political—I Mean, Public Health—Concerns
The coalition behind the bill included pretty well known do-gooders like the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association and the California Medical Association. They argued that tobacco products kill, and as 95% of adult smokers start before the age of 21, these measures could deter potential smokers and save millions of lives.
The bill also defined electronic nicotine products as tobacco, citing health concerns caused by vaping (sadly, looking like a douche was overlooked). Predictably divided along party lines, opponents argued that e-cigs have helped many people quit smoking, even though the opposite may actually be true.
While public vaping was banned in LA two years ago, passing this bill at the state-level caused a bigger fight than expected. Big Tobacco was said to be exceptionally aggressive, with threats made against re-election efforts. Labor union president Laphonza Butler told the Times, “There were a number of (legislators) who had been taking campaign contributions from Big Tobacco for a long time…And then I think there were people who were just scared that Big Tobacco would come after them in their races.”
Um, is it crazy to think that saving lives would be a good thing? Then again, I’m an Aussie with access to universal healthcare so perhaps my perspective is off. Thankfully, sanity prevailed (this time) and fewer Californian kids will be growing up with a lung-rotting addiction.
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