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Regression Discontinuity Evidence on the Effectiveness of the Minimum Legal E-cigarette Purchasing Age

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  • Jeff DeSimone
  • Daniel Grossman
  • Nicolas Ziebarth

Abstract

Increases in youth vaping rates and concerns of a new generation of nicotine addicts recently prompted an increase in the federal minimum legal purchase age (MLPA) for tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to 21 years. This study presents the first regression discontinuity evidence on the effectiveness of e-cigarette MLPA laws. Using data on 12th graders from Monitoring the Future, we obtain robust evidence that federal and state age 18 MLPAs decreased underage e-cigarette use by 15–20 percent and frequent use by 20–40 percent. These findings suggest that the age 21 federal MLPA could meaningfully reduce e-cigarette use among 18- to 20-year-olds.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeff DeSimone & Daniel Grossman & Nicolas Ziebarth, 2023. "Regression Discontinuity Evidence on the Effectiveness of the Minimum Legal E-cigarette Purchasing Age," American Journal of Health Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 9(3), pages 461-485.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:amjhec:doi:10.1086/723401
    DOI: 10.1086/723401
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    Cited by:

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    2. John Cawley & Davide Dragone, 2023. "Harm Reduction: When Does It Improve Health, and When Does it Backfire?," NBER Working Papers 30926, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Abouk, Rahi & De, Prabal K. & Pesko, Michael F., 2024. "Estimating the effects of tobacco-21 on youth tobacco use and sales," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    4. Michael F. Pesko, 2023. "Effects of e-cigarette minimum legal sales ages on youth tobacco use in the United States," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 66(3), pages 261-277, June.
    5. Erica Louis Mtenga & Michael F. Pesko, 2024. "The effect of vertical identification card laws on teenage tobacco and alcohol use," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(11), pages 2525-2557, November.

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    JEL classification:

    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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