Last month, the California State Assembly approved a package of anti-tobacco bills, including measures to raise the legal smoking age from 18-21 and ban e-cigarettes in public places where cigarettes are already prohibited. The bills are backed by Save Lives California, a coalition whose members include the California Medical Association, the American Cancer Society, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Proponents of the bill cite tobacco-related health risks for young people and research claiming the legislation would mean 223,000 fewer premature deaths and 50,000 fewer deaths from lung cancer.
Opponents say taking away the choice to smoke at 18 is unfair. “Eighteen-year-old adults who can enlist in the military, serve, and have all the other privileges of adults can decide for themselves,” said Assemblymember Adam Gray (D-Merced), as The L.A. Times reported.