Hawaii Becomes First State To Raise Smoking Age To 21

Ninety-five percent of adult smokers in the U.S. begin smoking before the age of 21, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. And while smoking rates have drastically decreased among Hawaii’s youth and adults, there has been a “recent and rapid increase in e-cigarette use.” Only 5 percent of Hawaii public high school students reported in 2011 that they had tried e-cigarettes, compared to 22 percent in 2014 — a 344 percent increase.

Under the new law, stores caught selling cigarettes, e-cigarettes or other tobacco products to anyone under 21 can be fined between $500 and $2,000. Additionally, any minor caught purchasing or possessing such products will face fines between $10 and $50, as well as community service.

There will be a three-month educational grace period to allow people to get used to the new laws. Warnings, rather than fines, will be issued during this time.

The U.S. Army, the Department of the Navy and the Marine Corps have each announced their support of Hawaii’s new law. Some have criticized the military for this, arguing that a person old enough to die for their country should be able to decide for themselves whether to smoke. 

Bill Doughty, spokesman for the Navy Region Hawaii, told The Associated Press the Navy sees it as a fitness and readiness issue.

“When we can prevent sailors from smoking or using tobacco, if we can get them to quit, then that improves their fitness and readiness, and it saves them a ton of money too,” he said.