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Regression discontinuity evidence on the effectiveness of the minimum legal e-cigarette purchasing age

Author

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  • DeSimone, Jeff
  • Grossman, Daniel
  • Ziebarth, Nicolas R.

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

  • DeSimone, Jeff & Grossman, Daniel & Ziebarth, Nicolas R., 2023. "Regression discontinuity evidence on the effectiveness of the minimum legal e-cigarette purchasing age," ZEW Discussion Papers 23-046, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:zewdip:279815
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    Cited by:

    1. Cotti, Chad D. & Courtemanche, Charles J. & Liang, Yang & Maclean, Johanna Catherine & Nesson, Erik T. & Sabia, Joseph J., 2024. "The Effect of E-Cigarette Flavor Bans on Tobacco Use," Working Papers 114, Wake Forest University, Economics Department.
    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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    More about this item

    Keywords

    e-cigarettes; minimum legal purchase age (MLPA); Monitoring the Future; regression discontinuity; vaping;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

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

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