skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump attacks Liz Cheney using violent war imagery; Election insights: What 50 Ohioans want to hear from candidates; Consumer groups slam CA Supreme Court ruling on lemon law; On National Brush Day, new resources in KY to boost oral health.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Harris says her campaign is prepared for Trump to prematurely claim victory, Pennsylvania election officials say safeguards in the system are preventing vote fraud, and Montana Senate race could hinge on the "political refugee" vote.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A Cambodian poultry farmer who lost his livelihood could be a hero for others, rural Montanans are anxiously awaiting a court ruling over a climate lawsuit brought by young people, and Northeast states say more housing for working families could boost jobs.

KY Senate Green-Lights Bill to Raise Tobacco-Buying Age to 21

play audio
Play

Monday, January 27, 2020   

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Kentucky Senate has passed a bill that would raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.

The bill aims to reduce access to e-cigarettes among teens and young adults.

While Kentucky brings in more than $500 million a year from tobacco sales, Ben Chandler, president and CEO of Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, says only around $3 million is budgeted for tobacco prevention and cessation efforts. He says the state needs to work harder to stop the next generation from becoming hooked on nicotine.

"Vaping products are considered tobacco products and consequently, they would be under this law," he points out. "And we've seen an epidemic in the use of those products by young people."

The bill is sponsored by Republican Sens. Ralph Alvarado of Winchester and Danny Carroll of Paducah.

According to a 2019 survey, 53% of high school students in the Commonwealth have tried e-cigarettes. The bill now heads to the House for consideration.

Chandler adds passing Senate Bill 56 would also help the state comply with a new federal law, known as the Tobacco-Free Youth Act, that raises the national minimum age to buy tobacco products to 21. He says at least 19 states already have passed similar legislation.

"Studies have shown that if you raise the age to 21, middle-schoolers, high-schoolers, are much less likely to get hold of those products," Chandler points out.

The state Cabinet for Health and Family Services says more than 8,000 Kentuckians die of tobacco-related illnesses each year.

The agency also estimates that annual health care costs for treating people with smoking related diseases tops $1.2 billion.

Disclosure: Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Health Issues, Smoking Prevention, Youth Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Signal Ohio found overarching issues such as climate change, reproductive rights and safety were on the minds of many Ohioans. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

As Election Day approaches, the online outlet Signal Ohio interviewed 50 people across Cleveland and Akron to find out what is on the minds of …


Environment

play sound

Wild Chinook salmon have returned to the Upper Klamath River less than two months after the largest dam-removal project in U.S. history to remove …

Social Issues

play sound

Millions of Californians buy used cars still under a manufacturer's warranty - but consumer groups say those warranties are now essentially unenforcea…


Even with the rise of social media and email blasts, traditional "Get Out the Vote" rallies are seen by experts as key to helping boost participation in elections. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Political rallies and large-scale "get out the vote" events might conjure images of a packed arena in a major city but in states like North Dakota…

Environment

play sound

As North Carolina communities continue to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Helene, they have faced a new obstacle: A surge of misinformation is …

As of Oct. 31, Minnesota election offices had accepted nearly 1 million absentee ballots. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

In the final sprint toward Election Day, some Minnesotans might worry their absentee ballot won't arrive in time. Experts say there's no cause for …

Social Issues

play sound

New York's affordable housing crisis is being made worse by corporate landlords, according to groups trying to reform the system. The state …

Social Issues

play sound

By Mariah Alanskas for Kent State NewsLab.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021