Tobacco Sales Laws

The laws aim to prevent the initial introduction of tobacco and nicotine use and prevent a lifetime of nicotine addiction. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, accounting for one of every five deaths. Alarmingly, more than 90% of adult smokers began smoking before 18 years of age . Every day, approximately 1,000 persons younger than 18 begin smoking , of whom one-third will die prematurely of tobacco-related illness. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states the nearly 9 out of 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily first try smoking by age 18, and 99% first try smoking by age 26. Science and statistics show that tobacco use has a significant, negative impact on the physical and mental health development of adolescents: they are more likely to drink, use other drugs, and engage in high-risk sexual behavior; twice as likely to suffer from depression; and more likely to report panic attacks and general anxiety orders.