DOVER (WJER) - Tuscarawas County Health Department officials say they are eager to see what kind of effect a state budget provision raising the tobacco purchasing age to 21 has in the county. 

Health Commissioner Katie Seward says extending the time frame in order to reduce the number of teen and 20-year-old smokers could have a major impact in the future, as studies show the earlier people start, the more likely they are to become lifelong smokers. Seward says 2018 statistics from a countywide study shows Tuscarawas County struggles with its smoking rates.

“Twenty percent of Tuscarawas County adults were current smokers, and 26 percent were considered former smokers, and current smokers is just that you’ve had at least 100 cigarettes in your entire life and do you smoke every day, some days or not at all, and so those were the questions,” she says. 

Seward says she’s been fielding phone calls from retailers confused on when the switch takes place.

“Right now, it is still 18. October 1st is when that change happens. I’m hopeful that the state will be pushing out information to tobacco retailers so that they know what the new law is and exactly how to implement it and also some new signage,” she says. 

Seward says a clause included in the House and Senate’s version of the budget grandfathered certain people in, but she says that was taken out by the governor, officially prohibiting anyone under 21 from purchasing tobacco starting in October. 

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