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CDC study finds 75% of adults in favor of raising the age to 21 for tobacco sales

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On July 6, 2015, the American Journal of Preventative Medicine(AJPM) published online a survey by researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The survey found that 75% of adults support raising the age of tobacco sales to age 21. 4,269 persons over age 18 were surveyed on the internet, and asked if they favor or oppose raising the legal minimum age to purchase all tobacco products from 18 to 21. Data was analyzed in 2014. Findings:

75% of adults surveyed favored raising the minimum tobacco age of sale to 21 years, including seven in ten smokers.
Out of the 75% who favor the increase, 50.4% strongly and 24.6% of all persons surveyed somewhat favored raising the age to 21 years.
77.5% of never smokers, 74.6% of former smokers, and 69.9% of current smokers strongly or somewhat favored it.
According to the study, the findings were consistent with a 2013 survey conducted by Dr. Winikoff and surveys by Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids that were conducted in Colorado and Utah.

The researchers concluded: “Public attitudes toward tobacco control interventions can help inform public health policy, planning, and practice. These findings demonstrate a considerable majority of U.S. adults favor raising the minimum tobacco age of sale to 21 years, irrespective of smoking status. Raising the minimum age of sale, along with proven tobacco control strategies, could prevent youth tobacco use.”

Read the CDC press release on the AJPM study at cdc.gov

Read the AJPM study here at ajpmonline.org