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

Author

Listed:
  • Jeffrey S. DeSimone
  • Daniel S. Grossman
  • Nicolas R. 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% and frequent use by 20–40%. These findings suggest that the age-21 federal MLPA could meaningfully reduce e-cigarette use among 18–20-year-olds.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeffrey S. DeSimone & Daniel S. Grossman & Nicolas R. Ziebarth, 2022. "Regression Discontinuity Evidence on the Effectiveness of the Minimum Legal E-Cigarette Purchasing Age," NBER Working Papers 30614, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30614
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    Cited by:

    1. Krekel, Christian & Kavetsos, Georgios & Ziebarth, Nicolas R., 2025. "Passing on the flame: Do mega sports events promote health behaviours?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 377(C).
    2. Cotti, Chad & Courtemanche, Charles & Liang, Yang & Maclean, Johanna Catherine & Nesson, Erik & Sabia, Joseph J., 2025. "The effect of e-cigarette flavor bans on tobacco use," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    3. 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.
    4. 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).
    5. 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.
    6. 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.
    7. 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).
    8. Cawley, John & Dragone, Davide, 2024. "Harm reduction for addictive consumption: When does it improve health and when does it backfire?," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).

    More about this item

    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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