BUFFALO, N.Y. — You must now be 21 years-old to purchase tobacco products and e-cigarettes in New York State. The new state law takes effect on Wednesday, making New York the 19th state to adopt a new age restriction policy.
Cigarette smoking rates for high school students are down to a record low of less than 5 percent in the state, but almost a third of that age group are using e-cigarettes. Younger students often get tobacco products from older kids or siblings, so a law like this is designed to cut off that access.
2 On Your Side spoke with the chair of the department of the health behavior at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and he said this is a huge deal that will save thousands of lives.
"Long term, we're really looking at reducing the rates of not only cigarette smoking but vaping, and that's where we see the rates going off the charts," said Dr. Andrew Hyland. "I think anything that decreases the accessibility of these products will be good for kids and good for public health. "