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Estimating the Effects of Tobacco-21 on Youth Tobacco Use and Sales

Author

Listed:
  • Abouk, Rahi

    (William Paterson University)

  • De, Prabal K.

    (City College of New York)

  • Pesko, Michael

    (University of Missouri)

Abstract

We examine the effect of raising the minimum legal sale age of tobacco to 21 (i.e., "T21"). We estimate difference-in-differences models using the Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey data and Nielsen Retail Scanner data from 2012 to 2019. Outcomes include cigarette and e-cigarette use and sales. We find sizable reductions in e-cigarette and cigarette use for 12th graders. T21 also reduced cigarette sales by 12.4% and e-cigarette sales by 69.3% in counties with the highest percent quartile of individuals under 21 years of age. In terms of mechanisms, we find that T21 increases ID checking and perceived risks of using both products.

Suggested Citation

  • Abouk, Rahi & De, Prabal K. & Pesko, Michael, 2024. "Estimating the Effects of Tobacco-21 on Youth Tobacco Use and Sales," IZA Discussion Papers 16801, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16801
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    Cited by:

    1. Lawrence Jin & Don Kenkel & Michael Lovenheim & Alan Mathios & Hua Wang, 2024. "Misinformation, consumer risk perceptions, and markets: The impact of an information shock on vaping and smoking cessation," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 62(4), pages 1652-1678, October.
    2. Emmanuel, Zachariah & Emmanuel, Maria & Aipoh, Godwin & Dickson, Vonke & Collins, Emma, 2025. "The Effects of the Tobacco 21 Minimum Legal Sales Age Policy on Respiratory Health," MPRA Paper 124994, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 11 Jun 2025.
    3. Cotti, Chad & DeCicca, Philip & Nesson, Erik, 2024. "The effects of tobacco 21 laws on smoking and vaping: Evidence from panel data and biomarkers," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    4. Ege Aksu & Prabal K. De & Laxman Timilsina, 2024. "New evidence on the health and employment effects of non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 interventions on workers in the United States," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 67(6), pages 2771-2819, December.
    5. Flynn, James, 2025. "Tobacco 21 Laws, Prenatal Smoking, and Birth Outcomes," IZA Discussion Papers 17705, IZA Network @ LISER.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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