May 5, 201610 yr California Raising Smoking Age To 21 LOS ANGELES — California will become the second state in the nation to raise the smoking age to 21 and will begin regulating electronic cigarettes like other tobacco products under legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday. Mr. Brown, a Democrat, signed both bills without comment hours before the deadline to act. He vetoed a bill that would permit local governments to impose taxes on tobacco products. The tobacco legislation was passed overwhelmingly by the Democratic-controlled Legislature over objections from the tobacco industry. Backers of the legislation said it would accelerate similar efforts in other parts of the country. One of the bills raised the legal age for buying tobacco — for smoking, vaping or chewing — from 18 to 21. Hawaii is the only other state that has raised the age for smoking. The California bill includes an exemption for active members of the military between the ages of 18 and 21. A second bill would place the same regulations on electronic cigarettes, including licensing sales, as are now imposed on other tobacco products. “The tobacco bills the governor signed will reduce the toll smoking takes on the health of Californians and the health of our state budget,” said Anthony Rendon, the Democratic speaker of the Assembly. Tom Steyer, a leader of the Save Lives Campaign, which had lobbied for the bill, hailed Mr. Brown’s decision. “Despite threats from the big tobacco lobby, Governor Brown and the Legislature sent a clear message: We will do everything possible to save lives and protect our children from the deadly effects of tobacco,” he said.
May 5, 201610 yr Author I realize that there is an exemption for active members of the military between 18 and 21, but I still have a basic problem with the idea of young men being forced to register for selective service, wherein they can potentially be drafted into military service and forced to kill for their country, but they still aren't considered "adult enough" to decide for themselves if they want to consume alcohol or tobacco.
May 5, 201610 yr I realize that there is an exemption for active members of the military between 18 and 21, but I still have a basic problem with the idea of young men being forced to register for selective service, wherein they can potentially be drafted into military service and forced to kill for their country, but they still aren't considered "adult enough" to decide for themselves if they want to consume alcohol or tobacco. I totally agree with this.
May 5, 201610 yr So at 18 you're an adult and are expected to make big life choices (college/no college, living arrangements, etc) but yet you can't use tobacco? Seems dumb. I'll admit I didn't read the article, just what was posted in the OP, but what about those that are in the 18-21 range right now that already use tobacco? It's now just illegal for them?
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