Kaine applauds new tobacco purchasing rules

A Virginia lawmaker is applauding new rules that take effect next week regarding ID requirements for the purchase of tobacco products at retail establishments.

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, D-Va., a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, joined U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in backing the bipartisan Tobacco-Free Youth Act, which raised the minimum age to buy all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21.

Now beginning Sept. 30, another requirement of the measure takes effect, which instructs retailers to ask for photo identification for anyone under the age of 30 and prohibits retailers from selling tobacco products via vending machines in facilities where individuals under 21 are present or permitted to enter at any time.

The goal of the new rule is to try to reduce the number of young people in America who have become addicted to tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

A recent survey by the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the number of young people in America smoking e-cigarettes dropped to its lowest level in the last decade, according to information provided by Kaine’s office Wednesday.

“I’m glad the FDA issued final guidance to implement our bipartisan legislation to raise the tobacco age to 21,” Kaine said in a prepared statement Wednesday. “I was proud to work with Senator McConnell to get this legislation signed into law. Our bipartisan bill has already made a huge difference in keeping tobacco products away from young people, and this final rule will only further these efforts.”

“Youth e-cigarette use was at its peak just five years ago. That’s when I introduced legislation along with Senator Kaine to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21,” McConnell added in a statement released by Kaine’s office. “Today, the number of young people smoking e-cigarettes dropped to its lowest level in a decade. I’m glad to see the FDA finally produce this rule that will help keep even more children from getting their hands on addictive vaping devices. While more work remains, I’m grateful to see our bipartisan legislation making a big impact.”