Editor,

I would like to commend Representative Foley and all Maine legislators who overrode Governor Paul LePage’s veto of a bill during this past legislative session that is aimed at keeping kids from starting to smoke or to use tobacco products. LD 1170, “An Act To Reduce Youth Access to Tobacco Products,” raised the legal age to purchase tobacco products in Maine from 18 to 21.

As a mother of three young children and an employee of the American Heart Association (AHA) in Maine, I understand first-hand how important it is to decrease access for young people to tobacco products. 

The AHA supports this policy change because research shows that 90 percent of people who provide cigarettes to younger teens are under the age of 21. Besides the obvious benefits of keeping tobacco products out of the hands of older teens, this policy will also reduce access by even younger teens who will lose their suppliers.

That is a good thing for many reasons. We know that the earlier kids start to smoke, the harder it is to quit and the more detrimental it is to their growing bodies. Also, keeping kids away from tobacco will help prevent long-term health affects as they become adults including an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

This was the right decision to raise the age to purchase tobacco products and will, no doubt, save lives down the road.

Representative Foley, as stated in his recent OpEd “Foley: Raising the age for smoking the right decision,” could not ignore the facts about youth smoking rates and remain silent on this issue. 

On behalf of my kids, and all kids in Maine and their moms, thank you Representative Foley. You did the right thing.

Brenda Vitali

Wells