Longtime readers of this newspaper know that we have been outspoken for decades in our support of measures that combat the evils of cigarette smoking, particularly among our young people.
Nicotine reportedly is even more addictive than heroin, which explains why 90 percent of those who take up the smoking habit as teenagers become lifelong smokers.
For that reason, we applaud the recent legislation forwarded by Sen. Sal DiDomenico that raises the legal smoking age from 18 to 21. It is estimated that this legislation will prevent 150,000 residents of our state from becoming addicted to tobacco products.
In addition, the bill bans the use of e-cigarettes, also known as vaping, in public places where regular cigarette smoking is banned. E-cigarettes essentially are nicotine-delivery products and likewise risk creating a lifelong addiction for users.
Sen. DiDomenico’s legislation provides tangible benefits for the health of our citizenry — and that is something that benefits all of us.