(September 30, 2019, Salisbury, MD) Effective October 1, 2019, the statewide sales age for tobacco and tobacco-related products increases to 21. The law, dubbed “T21,” prohibits the sale to anyone under age 21 of:· traditional tobacco products;
· electronic smoking devices including e-cigarettes, vape pens, pod devices such as JUUL®;
· e-liquids (even those not containing nicotine), components, parts and accessories.
The only age group exempted from this law is active duty military personnel ages 18 or older with valid military identification. A valid driver's license or other valid government-issued ID are the only acceptable forms of identification for any tobacco purchase (employer or school IDs are not permitted).
Maryland joins 17 other states in implementing a T21 law in response to the U.S. Surgeon General’s warning in 2018 that e-cigarette use among youth is an “epidemic.” E-cigarette use among U.S. high school students increased 78% between 2017 and 2018. 1 in 5 high school students and 1 in 20 middle school students reported using e-cigarettes.
Retailers are required to post a clearly visible sign in their establishments stating, "No person under the age of 21 may be sold tobacco products without military identification." The Maryland Department of Health is mailing signs to tobacco retailers licensed in the state, including vape shops. Signs are also available for download at health.maryland.gov/notobaccosalestominors.
For more information about the T21 law or help quitting tobacco or e-cigarette use, contact the Wicomico County Health Department at 410-334-3480/WICOMICOHEALTH.ORG or call Maryland’s Quit Line at 1-800 Quit-Now (784-8669).
I still find it ironic that young men and women can be put in harms way and die for our country, are entrusted with highly lethal weapons, but cannot be trusted to have a beer with their parents in a restaurant or grab a smoke to help keep them awake on their night watch. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteHow about allowing kids that are facing the ultimate sacrifice for defending OUR rights have a beer or a glass of wine.
Hmmm...
What about reservists? They are called to active duty all the time so they should be afforded the same courtesy as their active duty counterparts. I'm a reformed smoker so I have no stake in the game but I fully understand that reservists are every bit as vital to our modern fighting force as AD personnel.
ReplyDeleteThe article clearly states that the only age group exempted from this law is active duty military personnel ages 18 and older with valid military identification. Read it again 6:59
ReplyDeleteOnly to excuse the blatant hypocrisy. Do they think 18-20 year olds will sign up so they can buy cigarettes or is it that smokers make better soldiers?
DeleteNo child soldiers
ReplyDeleteGotta defend their murderers in the US military
ReplyDeleteIf smoking is so hard to quit which I agree it is, why don't they offer free smoking cessation products to those wanting to quit. At least something to try instead of spending money on products that may or may not help? Any program that I have seen involves going to a support group as if so many of us have the extra time, resources for child care, etc. to attend and/or transportation to get there.
ReplyDelete