It’s time to raise the age for purchasing tobacco products in Minnesota to 21, up from 18. It’s simple logic…
Editorial: Raise the tobacco purchase age to 21 – Albert Lea Tribune

It’s time to raise the age for purchasing tobacco products in Minnesota to 21, up from 18. It’s simple logic…
The program focuses on illegal sales to those under 21, not on the purchases, since the youth are seen as “victims.” Though some criticize the Tobacco 21 program of creating a “nanny state,” Geist said he is not aware of any businesses failing because of the law.
She adds that the bill’s purpose is to prevent teens from getting addicted to tobacco product, not to restrict their freedoms.
Highly addictive nicotine is the core problem. Tobacco companies have known this for decades and even juiced up the nicotine content in their products to help boost sales and profits.
On Wednesday, the county legislature considered a bill that would bump the age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21. The bill easily passed the legislature…