The new law will take effect July 1, 2018. Those who reach 18 years of age before that date will be allowed to purchase tobacco products.
Sen. Brian Langley, who co-sponsored the bill, told the Press Herald people addicted to nicotine often lose the ability to quit smoking. “My mother’s very last words, very last words on this planet were ‘I could not quit’ just before she passed away from lung cancer,” he said.
Maine is the fifth state to lift its smoking age to 21. New Jersey, Hawaii, California and Oregon are the other states that passed laws raising the minimum age, according to the report.
More articles on population health:
Cleveland Clinic launches Center for Men’s Health
Study: 99% of deceased NFL players diagnosed with CTE
FDA plans to regulate nicotine levels in cigarettes
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