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

Arbeitspapier

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.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 15671

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Health Behavior ; Health: Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health ; National Government Expenditures and Health ; State and Local Government: Health; Education; Welfare; Public Pensions
• Subject: e-cigarettes ; minimum legal purchase age (MLPA) ; Monitoring the Future ; regression discontinuity ; vaping

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): DeSimone, Jeff ; Grossman, Daniel ; Ziebarth, Nicolas R.
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2022

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/267408
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:45 AM CET