California Criminalizes Tobacco Products for Those Born After 2006

California became the first state in the United States to criminalize the sale of tobacco products to individuals born after January 1, 2006. Is this something the State of Maine should do?

Neon teen smoking a cigarette.Photo byDreamstime #1004853 adapted with PowerPoint design creation.

NOTE: This is an opinion piece meant to show both sides of the issue.

This new law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019, aims to reduce the number of young people who start smoking and the health consequences that come with it. However, this law has generated both support and opposition.

This article will examine the pros and cons of This's new law and the cost of smoking in terms of deaths, cancer treatments, and other health consequences.

The Benefits of This New Law

The primary goal of the new law is to reduce the number of young people who start smoking.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, with over 480,000 deaths annually. Smoking also accounts for over $300 billion in direct medical costs and lost productivity annually.

By criminalizing the sale of tobacco products to individuals born after 2006, CA hopes to reduce the number of young people who start smoking and, ultimately, the number of deaths and medical costs associated with smoking and other tobacco use.

According to a study by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, raising the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21 can reduce the number of new smokers by 25 percent.

The Disadvantages of the New Law

Opponents of the new law argue that it infringes on individual rights and freedoms. They argue that individuals should have the right to make their own decisions about smoking and that criminalizing the sale of tobacco products to individuals born after 2006 is an overreach by the government.

Additionally, opponents argue that criminalizing the sale of tobacco products to individuals born after 2006 will not effectively reduce the number of young people who start smoking. They argue that young people can still access tobacco products through other means, such as older friends and family members.

Likewise, criminalizing tobacco products could make those teens who think it makes them look cool want them more. It will make those who started smoking at 13 or 14 criminals due to an already established habit.

Plus, the state will lose the immediate impact of tax collection. However, it could lead to fewer future medical expenses for those who cannot afford cancer treatment.

The Cost of Smoking

Regardless of where you stand on this new law, it's crucial to understand the cost of smoking in terms of deaths, cancer treatments, and other health consequences.

According to the CDC, smoking causes more deaths annually than illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle accidents, and firearm-related incidents combined. Additionally, smoking is responsible for 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths.

Smoking also has a significant impact on healthcare costs. According to the American Cancer Society, the annual cost of cancer care in the United States is projected to reach $246 billion by 2030.

Smoking-related illnesses and deaths cost the United States over $300 billion yearly in direct medical costs and lost productivity.

Conclusion

This law criminalizing the sale of tobacco products to individuals born after 2006 has generated both support and opposition. While the law aims to reduce the number of young people who start smoking and, ultimately, reduce the number of deaths and medical costs associated with smoking, opponents argue that it infringes individual rights and freedoms.

Regardless of where you stand on the issue, it's important to understand the cost of smoking in terms of deaths, cancer treatments, and other health conditions. By raising awareness about the risks of smoking and supporting efforts to reduce smoking rates, we can work together to improve public health and reduce healthcare costs.

What do you think? Please leave your comments, pro or con, in the comment section.

References:

1. Cigarette Smoking. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 February 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm.

2. Tobacco-Related Mortality. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 March 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm.

3. Tobacco-Related Costs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 February 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/economics/econ_facts/index.htm.

4. California Raises Minimum Tobacco Sales Age to 21. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 27 May 2016. https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/press-releases/2016_05_04_california.

5. California Criminalizes the Sale of Tobacco Products to Young Adults. National Conference of State Legislatures, 12 January 2021, https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/california-criminalizes-the-sale-of-tobacco-products-to-young-adults.aspx.

6. Projected Costs of Cancer Care in the United States. American Cancer Society, 7 February 2019, https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/caac.21564

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About the author

Stephen Dalton is a native of Old Town, ME, and a retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. He is a Certified US English Chicago Manual of Style Editor. Top Writer in Travel, Food, Fiction, Transportation, VR, NFL, Design, Creativity, Short Story, and a NewsBreak Community Voice Pro.