Letter: Put support behind raising tobacco age to 21

I want to thank U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz for co-sponsoring the Tobacco to 21 Act. Data shows that nearly 5 million middle and high school students are using some type of tobacco product. According to Hawaii’s most recent Youth Risk Behavior data, over 42 percent of teens here reported having tried e-cigarettes, and over 25 percent reported being regular users of vaping products. We are facing a tobacco crisis. Recognizing the need for immediate action, Schatz is supporting this bipartisan legislation that could reverse the alarming trend.

We know that 95% of tobacco users start by age 21. By raising the minimum legal sales age for all tobacco products to 21 nationwide, we will reduce tobacco use, nicotine addiction and tobacco-related disease and death.

On behalf of public health advocates and future generations who will be protected, I hope other members of Congress will join in supporting swift passage of this landmark legislation.

Kazuma Nakagawa, M.D.

American Heart Association-Hawaii board member

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