Should the smoking age be raised to 21?
Smoking should be illegal for any age.
Individuals are not competent enough at any age to make their own decisions. We need local, state, and federal government to step in and tell us what is right and what is wrong. That will fix all of our problems. We need to take parenting and personal responsibility out of the equation. Those are such outdated and irrelevant concepts now of days.
Posted by: AnonymousKeep kids safe and healthy!
I fully support raising the legal age to purchase cigarettes to 21, right along with alcohol. Whether or not teens will continue to be "rebellious" and try to consume these harmful substances illegally is less of a concern than the ability of adults to fully prosecute, penalize, fine and in all other ways hold accountable the Big Tobacco companies, convenience store clerks, BFFs, negligent parents and others who enable these vulnerable young people to become addicted to harmful substances long before they have the necessary confidence, independence and developmental comprehension to choose against taking a first puff or first drink.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, I agree that the smoking age should be raised to 21, because it is more addictive and dangerous than alcohol, which has a 21-year old age limit, so it should at least equal that.
Yes, I agree that the smoking age should be raised to 21, because it is more addicting and harmful than alcohol, which has an age limit of 21. If alcohol can have that limit because it is dangerous and can get people into trouble, it should be the same for cigarettes. A lot of the time, people say a 21-year old age limit is best, because a person is not fully mature until their early 20s. So, wouldn't it be wiser to have the smoking age raised to 21, so young adults can make wiser decisions? I think raising the age limit could decrease smoking rates.
Posted by: I33Iessyes i agree for smoking only for 21.
The purchase age should be raised to 18-20 before 21. In years for public possession and purchase of cigarettes and tobacco should be 21 in Ireland and us and uk and should be banned in almost any indoor places in nursing homes, prisons, hotel rooms, apartments, city homes. Railway stations, parks, beaches, indoor car parks, parades, outdoor sports grounds and places. Unenclosed outdoor areas of pubs and cafes , restaurants.
Posted by: AnonymousThe smoking age should be raised to 21.
I think that the smoking age should be raised to 21 because smoking can cause problems such as lung cancer and copd. Smoking also leads to secondhand exposure, which odds harmful to young people. I also think it should be raised because if you have to be 21 to purchase cigarettes then they will be harder to get by younger people.
Posted by: AnonymousIt is dangerous to human and environment .
Smoking cause dangerous diseases like cancer or cardiovascular diseases and you may die, so the more they raise the age of smoking to 21 the better it was.
In addition, by smoking you will increase the amount of carbon dioxide and that will cause Global worming.
By the way, I am not a native and English is not my mother language , and I am 17 years old.Posted by: AnonymousMy choice to smoke was an adult choice.
I decided last spring that I wanted to start smoking. I was 31 years old at the time, and a single mom raising two boys. I have always been strongly opposed to anyone smoking as a teenager, and would never have done so myself when I was a teenager. As told my boys very firmly the day I bought my first pack of cigarettes, my choice to buy and smoke them was a choice I was making for myself as an adult, and I would never allow either of them to even touch one. I've never thought it right for anyone younger than 21 to smoke, and my own choice to smoke now as an adult hasn't changed my position.
Posted by: AnonymousLimit teenage access to cigarettes and improve retailer compliance
By raising the legal age to purchase tobacco to the same age as alcohol we reduce teen access to easy purchases. Every high school has an 18 year old who can buy cigarettes for under age students, but few have 21 year olds. We can then tie tobacco and alcohol retail licenses together increasing the risk for a retailer who allows someone under age to purchase these products. Better compliance and reduced access.
Posted by: AnonymousThe smoking age should be raised to 21, because the decision to start shouldn't be taken lightly.
I think smoking is a life changing decision, and it shouldn't be allowed until someone is at least 21 years of age. Deciding to smoke shouldn't be taken lightly and, the older you are, the better you will be able to make decisions. When someone is under 21, they are more likely to make rash decisions.
Posted by: FemaleTyron73Smoking is too addictive for someone under the age of 21.
When someone smokes (or drinks alcohol) they slowly get addicted to it. For some, it's under control. For others, it's hard to control. When someone starts smoking before his or her brain is fully developed (age 21) the addition to smoking and smoking itself becomes part of his or her mentality. That makes it a whole lot harder to stop.
Posted by: AnonymousThe smoking age ought to be raised to 21, in all 50 U.S. states.
The intended consequences of raising the smoking age to 21 would be to decrease the number of smokers in America. The thought on this is that a person is less likely to take up smoking at the age of 21 than they would be when they are a teenager. Older people usually have better judgement than the younger people they encounter. Also, it is obvious that 18 year olds in high school who do smoke are more likely to disseminate cigarettes to their younger high school friends, whereas 21 year olds do not attend high school, and therefore are less likely to do the same. The other intended purpose would be to increase the number of people with lungs that are not blackened by cigarette smoke.
Posted by: AnonymousSmoking is bad.
If you have to wait longer to buy them, then that means you have to wait longer to smoke them, which will help you live longer. Also if you start smoking sooner, there is a higher chance to get cancer. Lastly, smoking harms those around you. My mom smoked all the time when I was young, and now she is sick from it. SMOKING IS BAD!!!
Posted by: Anonymousyes!
i'm 21 and i wish the law would have been age 21. I started smoking when I was 17 because my older friends did and by 19 I was fully addicted because I was able to buy them. It's a nasty habit and kids do it to be cool, or because their friends are. When you're 21 you're not trying to fit in with a high school crowd, and you don't care what people think. Smoking should be something you decided when you're 21 because it is a hell of a nasty habit, and people don't realize the harm it does until it's too late.
Posted by: AnonymousYes
The smoking age should be raised to 21 because at 18 more kids are deciding to smoke which means that they can not live the full expense of their life which is hurtful to family and friends. It is also that at 18-20 kids are more rebellious and can make rash life-changing decisions such as smoking. Once they get to 21 they mature into adults they can make better decisions about this. It also decreases life expectancy which means that they can not live the full experiences of life.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, smoking age should be raised to 21.
Many teenagers start smoking between the ages of 14-18. However, many obtain cigarettes from older teenagers who can legally purchase them. Too many smoking adults suffer from debilitating chronic diseases. Moreover, the cost of providing care to patients with smoking related diseases is too high for tax payers who are already struggling in this weak economic environment. Raising the smoking age will help protect our children from picking up this health devastating habit. Prevention is the best cure.
Posted by: Anonymous
I believe the smoking age is fine at 18. By raising the age, kids will feel more of a need to smoke earlier, to be "badass" and "rebellious", and overuse tobacco products, as they currently do with alcohol.
By leaving the smoking age lower, kids will see a smaller number of their friends begin to smoke, and will be able to decide for themselves whether they want to or not, rather than feeling like they should smoke just to be rebellious.
Posted by: BigLacyWe know the risks
Us smokers know the risks associated with smoking. We choose to ignore these because we are adults and enjoy it. By raising the age to 21 you are only stripping away basic freedoms from young adults. The definition of adult should be changed to 21 as well as joining the army.
Posted by: AnonymousOnce you're 18, you're an adult.
I dislike the smoking habit, I'd never personally do it. But once you're 18, you are indeed an adult and can choose for yourself whether you want to do such a thing. Taking away this ability will only make people want to do it more at a young age, so why bother?
Posted by: AnonymousRaising the age will tempt more kids to try cigarettes.
It should not be raised to 21. If anything, it should go back down to 16. If raised, it could tempt more kids into trying a cigarette. Then they will get addicted and they might choose to rebel, thus causing more problems in their lives. If addicted kids can buy their own cigarettes,they may be able to quit earlier and not pick it up again, where one who starts older than 21 may be more likely "hooked".
Posted by: AnonymousThat's harsh towards ages 18-20
Think if how harsh that change would be for people smoking right now between the ages of 18 and 20 who won't be able to smoke any longer. They are not breaking any laws by smoking at this age and it would be rather harsh to just expect them to quit simply because they can't buy them any more. It would cause a lot of problems in the young adult community. Not only that, but studies show that most people start smoking as minors. You can't blame people 18-20 years old for that. There's no evidence to support it. Who's to say minors smoking rates won't go up because of such a change? If the smoking age is raised to 21 than there will be a major rise in tobacco distributing to people under the purchasing age. Not only that, but legal smokers are considered to be adults. In which case they have the ability to make their own decisions in their lives. If this isn't so than why would 18 be the legal "adult" age? If there can't be smokers at the age of 18 because of influence towards minors. Than the age of adulthood should no longer be 18 either. It's a double standard.
Posted by: AnonymousNo
Personally, I don't think smoking is a good habit to have and am not interested in it. However, at the age of 18, you are legally an adult and should therefore be allowed to make decisions like an adult. It should be your choice whether or not you smoke.
Posted by: AnonymousThe legal age for smoking should stay 18
Smoking is a personal choice, if someone wants to smoke at 18 they should be able to. Joining the army is a personal choice where you can join at 17. If you can serve your country with the possibility of dying you should have the choice to smoke as well at the same age. Sure cancer and a battle are different ways to die but death is death.
Posted by: AnonymousNo, because any minimum smoking age has proven to be ineffective.
Age is no matter, teens will always have a way to get cigarettes regardless of age. Kids smoke because they try to fit in with many other teens. Once they continue to do it, they begin to do it because they enjoy it. Fitting in no longer becomes the issue. Smoking is a choice; if a kid wants to smoke it's his own decision. Raising the age will only infuriate kids and cause them to rebel and find even more ways to get the tobacco they love.
Posted by: AnonymousIt should stay at 18. otherwise I believe it will be taking away freedoms of becoming an adult.
No, because kids who see the law as something to break as most teenagers do will take advantage of the law and will begin smoking more to rebel. 18 is an age where your life can be in your hands and I think if they want to smoke they can go for it. Plus its their choice to decide whether or not they want to put themselves at risk. Just like the signs say at the beach for people to swim at their own risk and raising the smoking age I believe will have similar repercussions as prohibition for the range of people from 18-20 who could smoke and then got the ability taken away from them
Posted by: AnonymousIt will only make kids want it more
At the age 18, you're already an adult and you're able to choose to do what you want to do like get a tattoo, or start smoking. There are warnings all over about how terrible smoking is, still people over 18 or even 40 still smoke. No matter what age limit everyone will find a way to smoke. Either have someone buy a pack for you or steal from someone walking on the streets. Changing the age limit won't stop anything it'll just make kids want them more.
Posted by: AnonymousIf I can vote, enlist in the military, & be tried as an adult, I can decide for myself if I'd like to have a cigarette
Upon becoming a legal adult, you become responsible for your own life. You can live on your own, support yourself, join the military and vote for the freaking president. At this age, you're old enough to make your own decisions. I'm not a smoker, I just believe in my constitutional freedoms and think that an adult should be able to make adult decisions
Posted by: AnonymousSTOP BABYING AMERICANS
At 18 you can get your limbs ripped off or die for your county but can't have a cigarette? I think there is something wring with that. At 18 you're an adult and can make your own decisions. We need to worry about more important things then people smoking. I think everyone smoking knows the harm. If they still want to do it, let them!
Posted by: AnonymousIts Not Right
If I can vote and serve my country I don't think it's right to do this. Most people start smoking under the age of 18 anyway. 18 years of age is a good enough age to make your own decisions especially if you are allowed to vote and serve your country. Think of how silly that sounds? By the way people under 18 or 19 can smoke tobacco but cant purchase it? That's so stupid
Posted by: AnonymousWhat difference is it going to make?
I am a non-smoker, who does not support or endorse the ways of smokers, but I feel that at the age of 18, you are plenty old enough to make your own decisions regarding whether or not you are going to smoke. Many smokers begin smoking and obtaining cigarettes illegally before the age of 18 or 21 anyway. If children under the age of 18 or 21 really want to smoke they're going to do it regardless of the laws set by the government. They will always have family members or older friends who can purchase cigarettes for them. Really this new law would just be a waste of time, breath, and money.
Posted by: AnonymousWhy make it higher?
Why should smoking be changed to age 21 when all its going to do is have more underage smoking? Why not actually move the smoking age down to 16? All these teens these days are smoking underage due to peer pressure and stress. So why not change it to 16 instead of 21? That's the real question.
Posted by: rlee30154Raising the age to 21 would be like a ban on smoking
I think its wrong because its peoples choice if they want to smoke or not. Smoking causes bad illnesses such as lung disease and cancer but its already been raised to 18 and in my opinion drinking alcohol is just as bad because it causes liver disease. I don't think its right for the smoking age to go up to 21 because they may as well just ban the cigarettes altogether in my opinion.
Lastly all I can say is that 18 is the right age for the bad because you are an adult and you can your own choices but 21 is just a bit too far.Posted by: AnonymousNo
No I do not think that the age should be raised to the age of 21. The reason why I think that is because there are more serious issues that need to be looked at. When you're 17 you can be tried as an adult and you can enlist in the army. Smoking is a personal lifestyle and as long as it affects only the smoker it shouldn't be considered an issue. Who is the government to tell people that they can smoke at this certain age? And even though the drinking age is 21, how many people get arrested for underage drinking or how many people perish from drunk driving ? If that's the case shouldn't we just ban liquor all together? These are the same questions to think about when considering people who smoke. The age is not going to create anything but more of a media playground because then you will have underage people buying cigarettes.
Posted by: AnonymousAt 18, you are considered an adult.
Like many people have stated before, at eighteen years of age, us citizens are considered adults. Teenagers can fight wars, choose who is put in office, and are able to go to prison,yet they are not legally allowed to smoke if they choose. I personally don't smoke, but is someone chooses to proceed with the habit, he or she should be allowed to go through with it.
Posted by: AnonymousYou can buy a gun at 18.
There is no reason to treat an adult like he or she cannot make his or her own decisions. The drinking age should be lowered to 18.
Also consider Colorado and Washington in all this. Smoke *what*? The question is ambiguous when we're in an era where we are beginning to legalize other smoking materials.Posted by: AnonymousNo, this would be taking away your adulthood.
As the headline says, you've finally become an adult and still people will say what you may and may not buy. You're responsible for your own life as an adult. Also, I'm a smoker myself and if they are going to raise the age limit to legally buy cigarettes, it would make for quite the protest.
Posted by: Anonymous