OPHA Signs on to Tobacco 21

Did you know? About 95 percent of adult smokers began smoking before they turned 21? If current trends continue, 259,000 of Ohio’s youth alive today will die prematurely from a smoking-related illness.

That fact is included in a letter to state legislators supporting Tobacco 21 that has been signed by OPHA. Altogether 54 powerful organizations from around the state support this legislation that would make it unlawful to sell or distribute a tobacco product to anyone under the age of 21.

The final letter includes some provisions further supporting public health. These include: Provision for public education, training, and technical assistance to retailers; and no penalization of youth.

Another reason supporting Tobacco 21 is supporting public health: Tobacco products remain the leading preventable cause of death in Ohio and the United States and are responsible for over $5.6 billion in health care costs in Ohio each year.

Stay tuned as this important legislation develops.