Note: World Lung Foundation united with The Union North America. From January 2016, the combined organization is known as “Vital Strategies.”
(New York, USA) –– World Lung Foundation (WLF) today congratulates New York City’s government for raising the legal buying age for cigarettes to 21 years. The measure will make it more difficult for youth to initiate smoking and contribute to declines in tobacco use that have made New York City a model for the world. The bill, which has been approved by the New York City Council will be sent to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg for signature and come into effect six months thereafter.
Peter Baldini, Chief Executive Officer, World Lung Foundation, commented: “Most smokers start when they are young so the more we can do to stop younger people from starting, the fewer smokers we will have. New York City has known this for some time, and continues to push forward policies that will reduce demand and save lives.
“Among the most important aspects of this bill is that it will also increase the legal age to purchase electronic cigarettes, a new category of products that has evaded regulation at national and state levels. With hardly any product standards, guidelines for safe use and health research, such products should not be available to young people.”
“We congratulate the Bloomberg administration and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for their tenacity in protecting the lives of New Yorkers. The example set in New York is a beacon for other cities seeking to lower the massive death toll and economic consequences caused by tobacco use.”