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

Jeff DeSimone, Daniel Grossman and Nicolas Ziebarth ()

American Journal of Health Economics, 2023, vol. 9, issue 3, 461 - 485

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.

Date: 2023
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Related works:
Working Paper: Regression discontinuity evidence on the effectiveness of the minimum legal e-cigarette purchasing age (2023)
Working Paper: Regression Discontinuity Evidence on the Effectiveness of the Minimum Legal E-cigarette Purchasing Age (2022)
Working Paper: Regression Discontinuity Evidence on the Effectiveness of the Minimum Legal E-Cigarette Purchasing Age (2022)
Working Paper: Regression Discontinuity Evidence on the Effectiveness of the Minimum Legal E-Cigarette Purchasing Age (2022)
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