Live data from Hacker News

Age limit now 21 across US for cigarettes, tobacco products

abcnews.go.com

1–10 of 62 posts

Re: Age limit now 21 across US for cigarettes, tobacco products

#4
post #2

It is bizarre we have our vice age at 21 but the age of adulthood is 18. You are responsible enough to vote, serve in the military and be charged as an adult in a court law but not responsible enough to drink or smoke.

The age gating is a bit stupid, but in the case of cigarettes, I'd be perfectly happy if no one of any age was able to use them, with exceptions for people who are already addicted.

Re: Age limit now 21 across US for cigarettes, tobacco products

#6
post #5

Not from United States. However, wouldn't it increase the sales of the black market?

Perhaps, but as long as there is a net drop in usage it's still a win. Who wants to bother buying black market cigarettes in 2020? It's like the worst drug ever - mild-to-no buzz, highly addictive/expensive, gives you cancer

Re: Age limit now 21 across US for cigarettes, tobacco products

#7
I have some close friends who started smoking at 18, and by 21 were pretty hooked, would rather not smoke, but found quitting too difficult. I have a feeling this will do a good job of reducing addiction rates.

At the same time I do feel like adults should be adults full-stop and think it’s ridiculous you can be drafted, vote and serve in military and not drink or smoke (or rent a car!). Maybe the age of adulthood should be moved to 21 altogether.

Re: Age limit now 21 across US for cigarettes, tobacco products

#8
post #2

It is bizarre we have our vice age at 21 but the age of adulthood is 18. You are responsible enough to vote, serve in the military and be charged as an adult in a court law but not responsible enough to drink or smoke.

The age gating is a bit stupid, but in the case of cigarettes, I'd be perfectly happy if no one of any age was able to use them, with exceptions for people who are already addicted.

It’s very stupid. When you are an adult you deserve to be able to make your own decisions. This is a great example of Congress going against the wishes of a huge portion of the voting population and “telling them what’s good for them”. It’s tacit erosion of freedom under the guise of something helpful and makes me ashamed of our Congress.

Re: Age limit now 21 across US for cigarettes, tobacco products

#9
post #2

It is bizarre we have our vice age at 21 but the age of adulthood is 18. You are responsible enough to vote, serve in the military and be charged as an adult in a court law but not responsible enough to drink or smoke.

The ACA allows children to stay on their parent's family insurance all the way through 26, and on their parent's tax return through 24.

So you want to talk about the hypocrisy of "18 for military, but 21 for drink/tobacco" let's also talk about why the age cut off for the ACA/IRS isn't 18 too, it is only self-consistent with that argument.

If you're really a full adult at 18, let's consider what that would look like, even when that means cutting the cord in ways that provide benefits to young adults (e.g. like essentially blackmailing families into paying for their "children's" college via their parent's income being used to calculate assistance and loan qualification).

It is unreasonable to consider this "multiple age of responsibility" topic from one vantage and not the other.

Re: Age limit now 21 across US for cigarettes, tobacco products

#10
post #3

Why stop there? Why not 35, or 50? Or an outright ban? We say that 18 year olds can die in a war, and be sentenced to death for a crime. But they can’t vape or buy a beer? 21 is the new 18, enjoy making more children out of adults.

Why stop with cigarettes? They can just tell us how to live in every facet of our daily lives.
Post reply on HN