WARREN — Ohio’s “Tobacco 21” law takes effect today, raising the age to purchase cigarettes and other tobbaco and alternative nicotine products from 18 to 21.

“Tobacco 21 — it’s a huge victory for Ohio,” said Dr. Amy Acton, Ohio’s director of health. She said research has shown 95 percent of people who develop addictions do so before the age of 21.

The law requires retailers to post a sign indicating it is illegal to sell tobacco and alternative nicotine products to anyone under 21. A first offense for a clerk who violates the law is a fourth-degree misdemeanor and a fine of up to $250; for the retail establishment, a violation could cost a fine of $2,000.

The law makes it illegal to to “give, sell, or otherwise distribute” tobacco products to someone under 21, but does not explicitly prohibit the possession of tobacco items.

Warren Law Director Gregory Hicks said, in his understanding, if someone went out and bought a carton of cigarettes last week, possessing them today isn’t illegal. However, the clause targeting “distribution” of cigarettes suggests there could be ramifications for anyone who purchases tobacco products and gives them to someone under 21.

Acton said there will be underage buyer checks to make sure retailers are in compliance with the new laws.

The law does permit parents over the age of 21 to give their children who are under 21 tobacco. The same applies for spouses.

VAPING

Included in the law are e-cigarettes, or vapes, which have recently come under fire from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for being the apparent cause of 26 deaths nationwide as of Oct. 8.

Chris Vince, owner of Vapors Dream in Girard, said in almost all cases of reported e-cigarette related illness, patients admitted to using “illegal black-market” THC products. He said most people start vaping to quit smoking cigarettes — and they see the benefits quickly.

“Your taste comes back in days, you start to feel better…” said Vince. He said none of the more than 1,000 customers his store has seen in six years have reported health issues related to vaping.

But Acton said vaping in any form isn’t safe right now.

She said in the past year the state has seen a 78 percent increase in vaping among high school students, and more than a 40 percent increase among middle schoolers.

“Raising the sales age for tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21 means that those who can legally obtain these products are less likely to be in the same social networks as high school students,” said Acton.

Vince said he expects his store to take a small loss from the new law, as he loses customers who are 19 or 20 years old.

YOUTH PUSH BACK

Acton said big tobacco has intentionally targeted youth in marketing efforts through social media. She said a recent study showed 3 out of 4 young people reported having seen an ad or vaping video on social media.

“I think a lot of young people don’t want to be intentionally marketed to by big tobacco,” she said.

She said young people are starting to take notice of the dangers of vaping — starting a protest outside of vape-producer JUUL headquarters in San Francisco.

The youth-led “truth initiative” is “dedicated to achieving a culture where all youth and young adults reject tobacco,” according to the nonprofit health orginization’s website.

Acton said college students across the state have also been pushing for smoke-free and vape-free campuses.

She said smoking is still the leading cause of death in America, and the leading cost for health care.

“This would be a great time to start quitting,” said Acton.

Other products included in the Tobacco 21 law are cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snus, dissolvable nicotine products, filters, rolling papers, blunts, and liquids used in electronic smoking devices whether or not they contain nicotine. Products such as nicotine replacement therapy for use when quitting tobacco and other nicotine products are not included under the new law.