Young: POTUS Right to Address Youth Tobacco and Vaping Epidemic

Click here or the image above to watch Senator Young’s remarks.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) today applauded President Trump’s commitment to curb America’s youth tobacco and vaping epidemic. Earlier this year, Senator Young introduced the bipartisan Tobacco to 21 Act, which would raise the legal age of sale for tobacco products from 18 to 21. With 95 percent of adult smokers getting hooked before the age of 21, Senator Young’s legislation is an important step to protect young Hoosiers.  

“I was pleased to see that the President, based on your reporting, is prepared to act with respect to our nation’s tobacco and vaping epidemic. We have middle school and high school students in this country who are getting hooked to tobacco products and this is an issue that can no longer be ignored,” said Senator Young during today’s Senate leadership press conference. “Raising the legal age of purchase of these products up to age 21 is the best and most achievable public policy measure that we can take to protect our children. So earlier this year I introduced the Tobacco to 21 Act, it would raise the legal age of sale for tobacco products from age 18 to 21.”

Click here to watch Senator Young’s full remarks during today’s press conference.

The Tobacco to 21 Act has received widespread support by health organizations and advocates, and recent polling shows that 75 percent of Hoosiers support raising the legal age. The South Bend Tribune, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Terre Haute Tribune-Star, Indiana Business Journal, and KPC Newspapers in northeast Indiana have all endorsed the Tobacco to 21 Act. Senator Young also penned an op-ed for CNN and issued a video regarding the need for this legislation.