North Carolina Considers Raising Tobacco and Vape Purchase Age to 21
North Carolina lawmakers are considering a bill to raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco and vape products from 18 to 21, aiming to align state law with existing federal regulations. A legislative meeting is scheduled for Tuesday to discuss the proposal, which is co-sponsored by Rep. Donnie Loftis (R-Gaston) and Rep. Gale Adcock (D-Wake).
The push for this change comes as North Carolina is one of only seven states yet to adopt the federal “Tobacco 21” standard, enacted by Congress in 2019. State health department data indicates that, on average, three students in any given North Carolina high school classroom vape. The proposed legislation also seeks to implement a tobacco retail sales permit system to better track vape sellers.
Teenagers are expected to speak at a news conference, urging lawmakers to help combat youth vaping and nicotine use. Investigative reports highlight that North Carolina risks losing $5 million in federal funding for mental health services if it fails to effectively prevent underage tobacco sales by year-end. The bill aims to address these public health concerns and ensure federal compliance.
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