A new report is advocating raising the minimum smoking age to above 18. The study said raising the age limit could prove more effective in reducing tobacco use.
A federal research study shows there could be a 12 percent drop in tobacco consumption if the minimum age were raised to 21, and a 16 percent decrease if the minimum age were raised to 25.
The Winston-Salem Journal reports the study was released by the Institute of Medicine, which will be making recommendations to the Food and Drug Administration.
The study says that raising the age to 21 means that those who can legally use tobacco are less likely to be in the same social networks as high school students.
The minimum smoking age in North Carolina is 18.
Reynolds American Inc. says states should be better enforcing existing youth tobacco prevention laws.
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