Smoking has always been one of the major problems of countries around the world. The number of people's lives taken away by smoking is growing every year and it's about time something be done about it.
With that said, the state of Massachusetts may be on the way to that step. They have decided to join the growing number of cities and states to think about raising the legal age for buying tobacco. This is the small step to make sure that smoking will soon be eradicated.
According to reports, the lawmakers all over the state are currently in the process of deciding whether to continue pushing the proposed bill which was already signed by a total of 60 House representative and senators, to lift the minimum age limit to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.
Boston, the leading city, is set to debate the benefits of the proposed law in less than one week which will be headed by the Boston Board of Health in order to discuss the matter and a similar proposal from Mayor Marty Walsh.
In early November, Walsh made a statement stating that it is everybody's responsibility to do everything we can to guide the younger generation and create a healthier future for all Bostonians. We already know that the consequences of tobacco use are certain and detrimental.
This proposal may be one of the signs that the state is undergoing a problem to maintain the current situation when it comes to the use of tobacco among young people. Hawaii will become the first stat with a 21 year old age limit for tobacco purchase on January 1, while other states like California have already sent bills through their Senate but are still waiting for the final decision.
The AP reported in 2013 that New York City became the one of the largest cities to impose a new age limit, while several towns in Massachusetts have already taken action and enforced their own ordinance.
