Will New Smoking Age Prevent People from Developing the Habit?

May 09,2016

On Wednesday, Governor Jerry Brown approved the measure to raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21. The law will make it illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase or use tobacco for smoking, dipping, chewing or vaping.

Proponents of the age change hope it will discourage young people from picking up the habit. Raising the age above 18 is significant because 90% of daily smokers started smoking before age 19, according to the Institute of Medicine.

California will be the second state behind Hawaii to raise the smoking age, although more than 100 local jurisdictions, including San Francisco, have already done so.

The new law will take effect June 9, after which anyone supplying tobacco to those under 21 will be charged with a misdemeanor.

The law comes at an interesting time for the tobacco industry. While the dangers of smoking have been exhaustively studied and shared with the public for years, tobacco companies’ liability for these dangers has just recently become a topic of conversation. The Connecticut Supreme Court recently awarded a plaintiff $28M in her suit against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company for its role in her developing laryngeal cancer.

“Lowering the smoking age has the potential to prevent many young people from developing a deadly habit,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.