HARTFORD – By a unanimous vote of 9-0, the Hartford City Council tonight voted in support of an ordinance that will prohibit the sale of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to anyone under 21 years of age.
The following statement can be attributed to Bryte Johnson, director of government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Connecticut:
“We know the tobacco industry uniquely targets young people to replace consumers dying from their products, and too many of our children are becoming addicted before they even have a chance to grow up. But if kids don’t pick up a tobacco addiction during their vulnerable adolescent and teenage years, they’ll be less likely to do it when they’re 21. This ordinance has the potential to reduce smoking rates in Hartford and ensure our kids live longer, healthier lives.
“Here in Connecticut, smoking causes 30 percent of all cancer deaths, and nearly 5,000 adults die from their own smoking each year. Increasing the age for the sale of tobacco products is a promising strategy in the effort to keep kids from beginning this deadly addiction, saving both lives and long-term healthcare dollars.
“We applaud the City of Hartford for this important first step in the fight against Big Tobacco and urge the General Assembly to follow suit and increase the age of sale of tobacco products to 21 statewide.”
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