Prevalence of smoking would reduce by 12% if the minimum smoking age was raised to 21 in Hawaii, claim healthcare professionals.

"The departments will be doing their review and then we’ll have the opportunity to look at it," said Governor David Ige.
A fine of $10 would be charged if anyone was caught breaking the rules for the first offense, and subsequent violations would lead to a $50 fine or mandatory community service.
The state Department of Heath estimates that 5,600 kids in Hawaii try smoking each year, 90% of daily smokers begin the habit before age 19 and 1,400 people die from tobacco use or exposure in Hawaii every year.
"Today we have the opportunity to change the paradigm," said Democratic state Senator Rosalyn Baker. "While the industry is not allowed to directly market to children, it is still developing packaging and advertising products in ways that appeal to children."
Prevalence of smoking would fall an estimated 12% if the minimum smoking age were raised to 21, according to a report by the Institute of Medicine, which is part of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Source-Medindia