Learn how the Tobacco 21 law will save lives.
Smoking is the leading
cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. It kills more people than alcohol,
AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders and suicides combined.
To
help combat these preventable deaths in our community, the City of Columbus
enacted a Tobacco 21 law that protects youth by reducing the
devastating health and economic consequences of tobacco use.
Tobacco
21 laws are an important step in protecting the health and safety of youth –
and entire communities. By raising the age for tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, and paraphernalia to age 21, we can reduce approximately 90% of new smokers
from even starting the dangerous and addictive habit in the first place.
On December 12, 2016, Columbus City Council passed an ordinance that
gave authority to Columbus Public Health to regulate tobacco and paraphernalia retailers by
licensing and enforcing civil fines associated with Tobacco 21. The Board of
Health also passed relevant City Health Code on February 21, 2017.