PHOTOS: Young holds Tobacco 21 Press Conference in Terre Haute

Terre Haute, Ind. – Today,on World No Tobacco Day, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined students and representatives from Vigo County School Corporation and Better Health Wabash Valley for a press conference in Terre Haute regarding his new Tobacco to 21 Act. The bipartisan legislation would prohibit the sale of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to anyone under the age of 21.

“National data shows that roughly 95 percent of adult smokers began smoking before the age of 21,” said Senator Young.“With vaping and e-cigarette use on the rise among middle and high school students, we have to act now to protect Hoosier children.”

Senator Young recently introduced the Tobacco to 21 Actalong with Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah). The bipartisan bill has received widespread supportby health organizations and advocates, and recent pollingshows that 75 percent of Hoosiers support raising the legal age. The Terre Haute Tribune Stareditorial board endorsed the Tobacco to 21 Actearlier this month.  

On Wednesday, Senator Young held a similar event in South Bend.

Click here for video of Senator Young discussing the need for this legislation.

Photos from the event:

The Tobacco to 21 Act is supported by the Academic Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American College of Preventive Medicine, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Pediatric Society, American Public Health Association, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs, Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, First Focus Campaign for Children, National African-American Tobacco Prevention Network, Pediatric Policy Council, Society for Pediatric Research, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, National Association of County and City Health Officials, and Trust for America’s Health. 

For a summary of the Tobacco to 21 Act, click here.