On August 29, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced (https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-issues-final-rule-increasing-minimum-age-certain-restrictions-tobacco-sales) a final rule that raises the minimum age for certain restrictions on tobacco product sales. Once implemented, the requirements are expected to help decrease underage tobacco sales.

Beginning September 30, retailers must verify with photo identification (ID) the age of anyone under the age of 30 who is trying to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Previously, this requirement applied to anyone under the age of 27. It’s important for retailers to request and examine photo IDs to verify age from anyone under 30, regardless of appearance, as research has shown that it is difficult for retailers to accurately determine the age of a customer from appearance alone.

ONS Perspective

Reducing tobacco-related cancers by promoting education, supporting access to cessation programs, advocating for smoke-free workplaces, and preventing youth smoking, among other policies is a long-held ONS position (https://www.ons.org/make-difference/ons-center-advocacy-and-health-policy/position-statements/isncc-tobacco-position). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show that most individuals begin smoking (https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/youth_data/tobacco_use/index.htm) before 18, with many teens able to purchase cigarettes or obtain them from older friends. In 2015, the National Academy of Medicine published a report (https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/18997/chapter/10) that highlighted that raising the minimum age to buy tobacco to 21 could prevent 223,000 deaths among people born between 2000 and 2019. Strictly enforcing this law through more rigorous ID checks will help ensure its effectiveness.

Stay up to date on opportunities for you to help advocate for tobacco cessation by registering at the ONS Action Center (https://www.votervoice.net/ONS/Home).

Additional Advocacy News

• 4 Things That Could Complicate Congress’s Efforts to Avert Shutdown (https://thehill.com/business/budget/4856504-congress-government-shutdown-complications/)
• Advocates Urge Congress to Pass Medicare Cancer Screening Expansion Bill (https://abcnews4.com/news/local/advocates-urge-congress-to-pass-medicare-cancer-screening-expansion-bill-wciv-abc-news-4-american-cancer-society-cancer-action-network-medicare-multi-cancer-early-detection-screening-coverage-act-cancer-research-national-institutes-of-health)
• Biden Drug Cost Cap Will Save Seniors About $1,100 a Year, AARP Study Finds (https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4852482-prescription-drug-cost-savings/)
• Harris Wants to Forgive Medical Debt for Millions of Americans (https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/21/harris-wants-to-forgive-medical-debt-for-millions-of-americans.html)

ONS Resources

• ONS Voice article: Tobacco Ads on Streaming Platforms Inequitably Target Certain Groups, May Contribute to Disparities in Use (https://voice.ons.org/advocacy/08-2024/tobacco-ads-on-streaming-platforms-inequitably-target-certain-groups-may)
• ONS Voice article: New Federal Multiagency Task Force Will Curb the Distribution and Sale of Illegal E-Cigarettes (https://voice.ons.org/advocacy/07-2024/new-federal-multiagency-task-force-will-curb-the-distribution-and-sale-of-illegal)
• Oncology Nursing Podcast Episode 247: Tobacco Treatment for Patients With Cancer (https://www.ons.org/podcasts/episode-247-tobacco-treatment-patients-cancer)