Mitch McConnell, a Republican politician, US Senator from Kentucky, who has long been one of the main manufacturers of tobacco products in the country, on Monday presented a bill supported by both parties, which proposes to raise the minimum age for purchasing any tobacco products from 18 to 21 years.
The proposed measure will apply to all tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and vaping.
McConnell issued a bill against the background of growth in the use of electronic cigarettes and vaping among minors, that is increasingly worried about experts in the field of health.
McConnell said: «the Farmers of Kentucky do not want their children get used to tobacco products, while in high school, as well as other parents across the country don’t want that either».
According to the activists against Smoking, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 14 States, including Arkansas, California and Virginia, have introduced laws that raise the minimum age for sale of tobacco products to 21 years, although some of these laws will not take effect until 2012.
Also received 470 local authorities, including new York, Chicago, Boston and Minneapolis.
In recent years the popularity of vaping has increased dramatically, especially among teenagers. The survey, commissioned by the government last year showed that 1 in 5 high school students smoked vaping in the previous month.
The Center for control and prevention of diseases of the United States stated that the most electronic cigarettes contain a nicotine, a highly addictive. It can harm the brain development of the young person and increase the likelihood that in the future people will smoke cigarettes.
McConnell added: «Vaping among young people is a public health crisis. It is our responsibility as parents and politicians, to do everything possible to keep harmful products away from schools and youth culture».
Most experts agree that electronic cigarettes are less harmful than conventional counterparts because they do not produce by-products, leading to cancer. But scientists say they are only beginning to understand the risks of electronic cigarettes, which they think could harm the lungs and lead to precancerous conditions.
