California has passed legislation to raise the smoking age from 18 to 21 years old. There are some exceptions though.

Raising the smoking age not could not only save lives in the long run, but it could save astronomical costs in health care. The original bill that was proposed in California made it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase tobacco products.  Some then argued that if you are old enough to fight for our country, you should be old enough to purchase tobacco. So, a stipulation was later added that excluded military personnel from the ban.

California isn't the first state to raise the smoking age to 21, Hawaii did it on January 1st of this year. Over 100 cities have also passed bills increasing the age. They have all done so without the exception of military personnel though. Another difference in the bill passed in California, is that it includes electronic cigarettes. They are the first to classify vapor products as tobacco, which some think is a step backwards. You can purchase vapor products that are tobacco free.

Was this bill a step in the right direction, or a step backwards?

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