Recently, legislation was passed raising the legal age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21. This law failed to provide a grandfather clause for those who are already 18 years of age and denied a military exemption for individuals who are 18, 19, and 20 years of age who are on active duty in the United States Armed Forces.

This demonstrates that the United States Government does not believe that those under the age of 21 who serve their country are responsible enough to make the decision of whether or not to consume tobacco for themselves. Those who serve in the military deserve to be treated as adults and given the freedom to make this decision for themselves. They did not vote to pass this bill, but Congress did. The reasoning behind not including a military exemption was that the government should not deny the “health benefit” from moving the age limit up. However, the law aligns with the idea that an 18 year can’t make the decision themself.

If we can’t trust our military personnel to make that decision for themselves, we shouldn’t entrust our nation’s safety and security to those under the age of 21. This is a call to amend the legislation and change the law to allow persons in the uniformed services that are 18, 19, and 20 to legally purchase and consume tobacco products. Otherwise, change the minimum age to enlist to 21. Then, we’d at least know what qualifies adulthood.