Increase the price of cigarettes to deter smokers: expert

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Would increasing the legal age to smoke deter people from doing it? Several states in the US are considering it, but local experts don’t think it would make a difference.

The age limit that is being considered is 21, instead of 18 which is what it is across much of North America.

Veda Peters with the BC Lung Association understands why there’s a law in place, but thinks increasing the price of a pack would be a greater deterrent.

“People will find a way when they want to do something. We know that from illegal substances wherever, but you hope that if you put it out there that there will be enough people who see the light and that over time makes the change.”

She adds the solution is simple — it all comes down to money.

“Teens are very price sensitive and every price increase generally results in a decrease in the number of people who smoke because it’s just not affordable anymore. So, we could consider that more than an age restriction. I think it would be easier to manage.”

About 10 per cent of people between the ages of 15 and 19 are daily smokers in BC, while the average teen starts smoking at 14.

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