Albany, New York- Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-South Queens) announced that she helped pass legislation increasing the legal age to purchase tobacco and electronic cigarettes from 18 to 21 years old (A.558-A).

“Thanks to decades of education on television and other media, the dangers of smoking are well known to everyone,” Pheffer Amato said. “Cigarettes kill, and the more we can do to protect our young people from the scourge of tobacco use, the more lives we can save. The legislation I passed today will help curb dependence on cigarettes, chewing tobacco and other highly addictive products that cause horrible diseases and premature death.”

Tobacco use remains the most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States, with 480,000 people dying from smoking-related deaths each year, including 41,000 from secondhand smoke.[1] About 90 percent of smokers tried their first cigarette before the age of 18.[2] Simply delaying tobacco use can also lower the risk of contracting lung cancer and other tobacco-related diseases later in life.[3]

Additionally, the rise of e-cigarettes has led to increased use among middle and high school students. From 2017 to 2018, the number of young students using e-cigarettes rose by 1.5 million.[4] Studies also show that teens who use e-cigarettes are more likely to become regular smokers in the future.[5]

“One cigarette can be all it takes to become addicted for life,” Pheffer Amato said. “Raising the age will not only curb tobacco and electronic cigarette use among youth by making them less readily available, but it will help create healthier communities.”

To address the surge in e-cigarette use, the Assembly previously passed a law including them under the Clean Indoor Air Act to help protect New Yorkers from the danger they pose (Ch. 335 of 2017).

A.558-A was sent to the Senate where it remains in the Finance Committee.
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[1] cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/resources/data/cigarette-smoking-in-united-states.html

[2] cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/youth_data/tobacco_use/index.htm

[3] daily.jstor.org/benefits-delaying-cigarettes

[4] cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/youth_data/tobacco_use/index.htm

[5] drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes#ref