Oregon Joins Growing List of T21 States

SALEM, Ore. — The number of states prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to consumers under 21 has now reached five.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed legislation raising the legal minimum age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21. The new law goes into effect on Jan. 1, according to The Associated Press.

Four other states have similar Tobacco 21 measures on a statewide basis: Hawaii, California, New Jersey, and Maine. Hawaii was the first state to enact a T21 law, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2016, followed by California six months later.

New Jersey's measure goes into effect in November and Maine's new legal age takes hold on July 1, 2018.