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Raising smoking age would keep people from starting, study says

ANN ARBOR, MI (MPRN)--   New research out of the University of Michigan finds restricting tobacco sales to people under 21 could keep 11,000 Michiganders from starting the habit over the next five years. 

Legislation is already in the state House to raise the age at which people can buy tobacco products.

Dr. Holly Jarman worked on the study. She says reducing the number of smokers will have major health benefits for the state.

“We do know that smoking is bad for your health. We know that if we can keep people from even starting that it’s better than trying to help them quit later in life,” she says.

Jarman says her research also surveyed Michigan residents ages 14-24 and found a majority of them support raising the age for legal tobacco purchases.