Why Does The American Heart Association Oppose A Bill Raising The Tobacco Smoking Age?

It’s a known fact that smoking tobacco isn’t good for your heart, lung, and can cause cancer. But the leading groups on those very things are opposed to a bill that would raise the age of sale for tobacco products to 21. WFSU’s Blaise Gainey speaks with American Heart Association’s Government Relations Director Mark Landreth about why they oppose the proposed legislation.

Credit Blaise Gainey / WFSU-FM

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WFSU-FM

1. Why is the American Heart Association against proposed legislation that would increase the age of
     sale for tobacco to 21?
2. Would you rather it passes in its current form or not at all?
3. What does this do for state preemptions on local laws?
4. Is it a bad thing that minors will be punished for purchasing tobacco illegally?
5. Why include nicotine dispensing products as a tobacco product?