As of Sept. 1, Vermonters must be 21 to purchase and possess tobacco products

Raising the age at which Vermonters can purchase and possess tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21 will help Vermont make strides against tobacco use, especially for youth. This change aims to:

• Reduce smoking rates: The National Academies of Medicine found that raising the age to 21 would reduce the smoking rate over time by 12% and reduce smoking-related deaths by 10%.
• Reduce the likelihood of addiction: 95% of adults started smoking by the age of 21. Restricting access to these products also addresses the e-cigarette epidemic that is plaguing the country’s youth.
• Protect developing brains: Teens and young adults are uniquely vulnerable to the effects of nicotine and nicotine addiction (including from e-cigarettes).
• Reduce social sources of tobacco products: About half of Vermont e-cigarette users under age 18 borrowed or got them from someone who was over age 18.
• Protect teens from harmful substances: E-cigarette aerosol can contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including nicotine and other toxic chemicals.

“We’ve made great strides against tobacco use, but the popularity of e-cigarettes and vaping continues to skyrocket among our youth,” said Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. “We are also seeing evidence of increasing rates of health problems associated with vaping.”

According the Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) there was a significant increase in the percent of students who have ever tried e-cigarettes, from 30% in 2015 to 34% in 2017. Among high school students in Vermont, 12% said they used electronic vapor products in the past 30 days.

Dr. Levine said that while e-cigarettes are less harmful to adults than combustible cigarettes, they are never safe for teens and young adults, making this new law all the more necessary. “These cyber-cigarettes, with their thousands of flavors, represent a 21st Century version of big tobacco’s decades-long push to market and promote their products to youth,” said Dr. Levine. “Society always races to keep up with technology. This law helps to close the gap in favor of protecting public health.”

If you or anyone you know is looking for help to quit smoking or the use of any kind of tobacco product, visit 802Quits.org for free resources and support.