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Lobbying Teens

A GROUP OF TEENS ARE GETTING IN ON CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TOO. THEY ARE LOBBYING CONGRESS TO RAISE THE AGE LIMIT ON TOBACCO SALES.

LOBBYING MEANS TRYING TO INFLUENCE A LAWMAKER OR POLITICIAN ON A CERTAIN ISSUE.  IN THIS CASE, THE GROUP OF HIGH SCHOOL KIDS FROM MASSACHUSETTS GAVE THE
LAWMAKERS 21 REASONS WHY THEY THINK THE MINIMUM AGE TO BUY TOBACCO PRODUCTS SHOULD BE 21 YEARS OLD.  THEY THINK THAT TOBACCO COMPANIES ARE TARGETING KIDS AND THAT RAISING THE AGE LIMIT FROM 18, MIGHT STOP SOME TEENS FROM USING TOBACCO IN THE FIRST PLACE.

[KID QUOTES]

RICK: MOST STATES HAVE THE AGE LIMIT AT 18 YEARS OLD, INCLUDING IN OHIO. BUT CERTAIN CITIES HERE, INCLUDING CLEVELAND AND COLUMBUS, ALREADY BOOSTED
THAT AGE TO 21.


Find Out More


Website Article: Newsela, Business Owners Say Raising The Tobacco-buying Age Affects Their Income | Is there a downside to raising age limit? May need to sign in.

Website Article: Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Raising The Tobacco Age To 21 | National campaign shares arguments for raising age.

Website Article & Video: Kids Health, Smoking Stinks | Learn what tobacco does to the body.