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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: June 16, 2026 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-c <br /> SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of Tobacco 21 to Protect Youth from Vaping and <br /> Nicotine Addiction <br /> DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Resolution Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board, 919- <br /> 245-2310 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a resolution in support of Tobacco 21 to protect youth from vaping and <br /> nicotine addiction. <br /> BACKGROUND: At the Board's June 2, 2026 Business meeting, a member of the public provided <br /> comments and submitted materials requesting that the Board adopt a resolution expressing <br /> support for efforts at the State level to protect youth from vaping and nicotine addiction. <br /> As of 2022, 27% of high school students in North Carolina report tobacco use. Use of e-cigarettes <br /> has increased significantly among youth, and nicotine is harmful to developing brains. In 2019 <br /> Congress increased the federal minimum legal sales age of all tobacco products to 21. As of <br /> March 2026, North Carolina is one of six states that has not increased the minimum tobacco sales <br /> age to match federal law. The state risks losing $5 million in block grant funding for prevention, <br /> treatment, and recovery services if tobacco sales to youth are too high in required annual <br /> inspections. Proposed State legislation will raise the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21; <br /> establish a tobacco sales permit for retailers; strengthen enforcement; increase compliance <br /> requirements; and set legal penalities for selling or assisting in selling tobacco products to anyone <br /> under 21. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the resolution. <br /> ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: <br /> • GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY <br /> OBJECTIVE 1. Improve harm reduction, prevention, and therapeutic interventions for <br /> adults and children experiencing behavioral health issues, substance use disorder, and <br /> intellectual or developmental disability. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the <br /> Chair to the sign resolution. <br />