×

Let state law establish tobacco age

We understand the premise of wanting to deter young people from becoming hooked on addictive nicotine products. In fact, we always would discourage smoking or tobacco use at any age.

Still, we disagree with proposals being considered by Warren City Council’s Health and Welfare Committee that could make Warren the first Ohio statutory city to raise the age from 18 to 21 when people legally may purchase tobacco products. Youngstown also is considering the same issue, being referred to around the state as “Tobacco 21” laws.

Warren Mayor Doug Franklin and some officials in Warren’s and Trumbull County’s Health Departments are supporting the measure, noting the effort is intended to lower the chance that kids will become hooked on nicotine and tobacco products by making access to them more difficult.

Why, we wonder, does it become the responsibility of any municipality to police cigarette sales to legal adults who, according to state law, are legally permitted to buy them. Without strict penalties and, of course, additional resources to enforce it, the law becomes just one more abject wish that will appear on the city books with little action.

Let’s face it, Warren police are strapped enough simply responding to emergency calls for service. With other challenges that come with seven unfilled police officer positions, just how might city officials expect to police this issue?

And even if it were to be enforced, wouldn’t this simply drive those cigarette buyers (who, by the way, are old enough to serve their country in the U.S. military and to vote on election day, but won’t be old enough to buy nicotine in Warren) to businesses outside the city limits to make their purchases?

Leave this issue up to the state legislature and move on to other local issues.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
     

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today