Tobacco 21.

A Crisis We Can’t Ignore

Every year, thousands of young people in North Carolina are lured into a lifelong struggle with nicotine addiction. 95% of tobacco users start before they turn 21, and with over 27% of high school students reporting tobacco use in our state, the rise of e-cigarettes is fueling an alarming epidemic. It’s time for North Carolina to act.

We have the power to protect our youth, save lives, and secure a healthier future for our state. By raising the minimum tobacco sales age from 18 to 21 and establishing a retailer permitting system, we can stop tobacco addiction before it starts.

Why Tobacco 21 Matters

• Protect Developing Brains: Nicotine is especially harmful to teens, disrupting brain circuits that control attention, learning, and addiction.
• Reduce Youth Access: Most teens who use tobacco get it from friends or retailers who sell to those under 21. Raising the purchase age cuts off this supply chain.
• Save Lives and Prevent Disease: Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death and disease in North Carolina, linked to one in five deaths annually.

The Solution: A Comprehensive Approach

Implementing Tobacco 21 in North Carolina means:

• Raising the legal tobacco product sales age to 21, aligning state law with federal standards.
• Establishing a retailer permitting system to improve merchant education, enforce compliance, and hold violators accountable.
• Reducing confusion for retailers and consumers by harmonizing state and federal laws.
• Helping schools combat e-cigarette use and protecting students from the health and academic impacts of nicotine addiction.

Together, we can create a healthier North Carolina.