This decision brings Florida into compliance with existing federal laws. It is also an important step for public health. Research shows that raising the legal age to buy tobacco and nicotine can reduce the number of adolescents and young adults who start smoking, with immediate health benefits and reducing smoking-related deaths. [1] The Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that would regulate the sale of e-cigarettes and raise the state`s legal age for the use of tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21. The law went into effect at 12:01 p.m., meaning it`s illegal in Florida for anyone under the age of 21 to buy, possess or smoke tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes. Governor DeSantis vetoed a similar bill last year, his main objection being that it bans the sale of flavored liquid nicotine products used in vaping. Once approved by the ministry, a merchant can use card readers, readers or other electronic or automated systems to verify that a person is of legal age to purchase tobacco products instead of a calendar. Failure to comply with this subsection will result in the imposition of administrative penalties under section 569.006. The bill also provides an exemption for members of the U.S.
military, though the Department of Defense has changed the legal age for smoking in the military to 21. The bill would raise the state`s legal age for smoking and vaping to 21, a threshold already set in federal law. It would also create a government regulatory framework for the sale of e-cigarettes. In May, Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 1080, which raises the legal age to purchase nicotine and tobacco products to 21. This new change aligns Florida`s legal age to purchase these products with the age set by federal law in 2019. The new Tobacco 21 Directive also covers the sale of e-cigarettes. As with traditional cigarettes or smokeless tobacco, the legal age to buy an e-cigarette in Florida is now 21. FLORIDA LEGISLATURE: Bill to raise the legal age to smoke, vape to 21 heads to Governor DeSantis “I`ve been asked several times. But it`s illegal, and I have too much to lose,” Arnett said.
TAMPA, Fla. — In an effort to reduce teen vaping, Florida lawmakers have passed a law raising the state`s legal age to vape or smoke tobacco from 18 to 21. Yes. Fla. Stat. §§ 569.32(1)(a); 569.34(1) (2022) While the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is your source for specific licensing issues, procedures, and updates, there are briefly some important things about the changes as of October 1, 2021. “There will be leftover issues that could be underage teenagers getting their hands on these products if there aren`t consistent compliance checks from retailers,” said Tiffany Henderson of the American Heart Association. Daytona Beach, for example, has an ordinance that restricts outdoor advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products.
And Flagler and St. Johns County restricts where flavoured tobacco products can be displayed in stores. The sale/distribution of nicotine delivery devices or nicotine products to persons under 21 years of age (unless active military personnel) is prohibited. Subsection 569.41(1) (2022) The new Land Act provides an exemption for active service military personnel who are at least 18 years of age. “If you sign your name, raise your hand and get an M16 and you`re asked to die for your country, smoking is the least you have to worry about,” Matt Willhite, a Palm Beach County Democrat, said last month. LAWSUIT: Volusia School District seeks damages from companies that make and market vape pens But the bill has drawn opposition from some major health groups, at least in part, because it would prevent local regulations on things like the marketing and sale of tobacco and vaping products. On October 1, 2021, Florida introduced a new statewide law that raises the minimum age to purchase tobacco and nicotine products from 18 to 21. Earlier this month, the FDA delayed its decision on whether to ban the most popular e-cigarette products. The foregoing is not an exhaustive list of all applicable regulations and is subject to change.
It is intended to serve as an introduction and examples of how the new Tobacco Act21 is being implemented statewide. The law also prohibits people under the age of 21 from smoking or vaping within 1,000 feet of a school. Get the best experience and stay connected with your community with our Spectrum News app. SB 1080, the new regulation that sets the minimum age to buy tobacco and nicotine products at 21, includes new restrictions for retailers selling tobacco and nicotine products such as cigars, cigarettes or e-cigarettes. “I think it`s a good way to combat underage sales,” he said. “We`re seeing more and more kids in high schools and young adults accessing these vaping products, making them more and more addictive,” he said. “If we raise the age to 21, it`s less likely to be in the hands of high school students, and the reason I say that is because I think an 18-year-old is more likely to spend time with 16-year-olds than someone 21.” The state of Florida is officially increasing the age restriction for all smoking and vaping products from 18 and older to 21 and older. This change will take effect on Friday, October 1. The survey found that teens say they smoke mostly sweet and candy flavors. The minimum age to buy tobacco and nicotine products — such as vaping devices — increases to 21 on Oct.
1, but that`s only half the story behind a new Florida law. Many believe smoking is a choice for adults, but nearly nine out of 10 smokers in the U.S. start at age 18. [2] For young people who “experiment” with tobacco, nicotine addiction sets in quickly and they cannot stop. For this reason, reducing smoking initiation among people under 21 years of age is an important step in addressing the overall smoking rate. This change will affect not only consumers of these products, but also distributors of tobacco products and nicotine. According to the summary of the law on the Florida Senate website, age verification is required before selling tobacco or nicotine products to “individuals who appear to be under 30 years of age.” Mother of five Toledo says that while no one knows the long-term effects of vaping, she has seen “a lot of people” injured and even hospitalized for smoking a lot. CLARENCE PAGE:I Quit vaping smoking, and now I`m worried The criticism that the bill anticipates local government was defended by Republican Bob Rommel of Naples at a House Commerce Committee meeting last month. Lyerly of the American Lung Association claims that this spin-off company violates federal law that increases sales of tobacco and nicotine products to 21, which specifically prohibits exemptions. [1] Institute of Medicine. 2015. Public Health Impact of Raising the Minimum Age of Legal Access to Tobacco Products.
Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi.org/10.17226/18997. The main source of fierce opposition from health authorities is that the legislation removes local and county authority to regulate teen smoking and transfers it to the state`s Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which they say will not be as effective at calling retailers who sell these products to people under 21. At a March hearing of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee, chaired by Hutson, McCormick noted that smokeless vaping is “twice as effective” as nicotine patches or chewing gum for people trying to quit smoking. “Personally, I have no problem with that,” John Catalano, owner of Sunshine Vapor LLC, told Deltona.