Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah applauds the bold actions taken by the Utah State Legislature this week in addressing tobacco-related health issues. The state’s approval of a policy that incrementally increases the age from 19 to 21 for the sale and use of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and vaping devices—a policy called Tobacco 21—is a step that will ensure Utah remains a national leader in health by reducing tobacco-related illnesses and protecting youth from nicotine addiction.
“Utah’s legislature has taken a step that will have a profound impact for generations to come on the fight against tobacco, which remains the number one cause of preventable death in the United States,” said Mary Beckerle, PhD, CEO of HCI. “Tobacco 21 is a crucial step toward reducing tobacco use in our state, saving lives through cancer prevention, and ensuring that Utah remains a national leader in health. We are extremely grateful to the bill’s primary sponsor, Representative Steve Eliason, along with other key leaders, including Senator Curt Bramble, Representative Paul Ray, and the dozens of other legislators who worked together to pass Tobacco 21.”
Utah becomes only the eighth state in the United States—joining California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, and Virginia—to pass statewide laws raising the minimum legal age of sale for all tobacco products to 21. Last month, Utah cities Lehi and Cedar Hills enacted similar city ordinances and advocated for statewide action.
The passage of Tobacco 21 in Utah comes at a critical time. Research shows that 95 percent of tobacco users start using tobacco products before the age of 21. For several years, tobacco use by Utah teens had been on the decline. Yet with the emergence of new products such as e-cigarettes and vaping devices combined with kid-friendly flavors and advertisements targeting Utah’s youths, tobacco use by Utah teens has nearly doubled since 2013.
Media Contact
Heather Simonsen
Public Relations
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Email Us
801 581-3194
About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering a cancer-free frontier to all communities in the area we serve. We have more than 300 open clinical trials and 250 research teams studying cancer at any given time. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient’s unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.