BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. — The Baltimore County Council voted on Monday to raise the legal age in tobacco sales.
They voted specifically on Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski’s proposal to increase the legal age for tobacco product sales from 18 to 21, and to expand the law to include all vaping products.
“Youth tobacco use is a public health crisis and we must do everything we can to help protect the health and safety of Baltimore County’s young people,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “This new law will empower Baltimore County to take action now to help prevent young people from the harmful effects of smoking.”
National data shows that approximately 95 percent of adult smokers begin smoking before the age of 21. The Surgeon General has stated that vaping among underage youth is an epidemic.
RELATED: Minimum tobacco buying age goes up to 21 on October 1
Maryland is one of 18 states to raise the minimum legal age requirement since 2016.
