On July 16, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed off on vital Tobacco 21 legislation, and on July 19, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine followed suit. New York and Ohio are the now 17th and 18th states, not including the District of Columbia, to pass statewide bills increasing the age of purchase to 21 for tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

Increasing the legal sales age for tobacco to 21 will result in fewer addicted tobacco users and fewer tobacco-related health costs. These legislative measures were major priorities for both New York and Ohio ACC Chapters, and are a result of grassroots advocacy.

In May, members of ACC's Ohio Chapter met with lawmakers in Columbus to advocate for raising the purchasing age in Ohio. They continued their efforts through social media engagement and letters to their lawmakers urging them to support Tobacco 21.

ACC's New York Chapter members worked closely with the Medical Society of New York to advocate for passage of this bill – and the governor's signature was long anticipated due to these efforts.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team, Prevention, Smoking

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Tobacco, Nicotine, New York, Ohio, District of Columbia, Social Media, Tobacco Products, Government, Societies, Medical, Health Care Costs

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