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

Jeff Desimone, Daniel Grossman and Nicolas Ziebarth ()
Additional contact information
Jeff Desimone: University of Iowa
Daniel Grossman: West Virginia University, Department of Economics

No 22-01, Working Papers from Department of Economics, West Virginia University

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.

Keywords: e-cigarettes; minimum legal purchase age (MLPA); Monitoring the Future; regression discontinuity; vaping (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H51 H75 I12 I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 48 pages
Date: 2022-01
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Related works:
Journal Article: 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 (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)
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