Newspaper Article

Bill would target smoking age to help curb addiction | Hypertension risk for boys

PETERSON

2003

Overview

Backers of the bill say it's true that there are high schoolers and younger who legally are not allowed to buy cigarettes, but who do smoke. But the more critical period for a potentially addicted puffer starts at age 18, when most young people gain additional independence, can buy their own cigarettes, and have the opportunity to smoke all day long. In a place such as California, where public smoking and thus second-hand smoke is so restricted, is there harm in allowing 18- year-olds the option of making their own choices on smoking? Is there some element of protecting young adults from themselves in the bill? [Rob Crane], who founded the Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation, has put his organization's support behind the California campaign. He entered the fray upon seeing the California Medical Association resolve to push for the bill. Crane hopes to see it spread to a few other states that can then serve as an example that the legal minimum age of 21 can work to cut the rate of smoking in society.

• Publisher: Los Angeles Newspaper Group
• Subject: Crane, Rob / Klay, Leonard