Newton follows teens’ lead in raising age limit

On the heels of a second death attributed to vaping products in Kansas announced this week, the Newton City Commission took action on a request from high school students this summer to move the legal age of purchase for tobacco and e-cigarettes to 21.

“When I first came here with three other students, we all understood that any change could be a good change,” said Eli Reddington, president of STAND at Newton High School. “We have been seeing this problem in Newton High School, and it is everywhere. We are social media. … Any change that can help stop someone from getting addicted to nicotine is a good change.”

“My guess is in the health industry we are going to see the effects of this from our youth,” said Val Gleason, president and CEO of Newton Medical Center. “Their lung damage is severe. … We don’t know if it is reversible, and it is serious.”