The legislature would require, essentially, that the youths not look like adults. Gov. Bob Holden should sign the bill, despite his concerns that it might not do much to prevent teen smoking. Missouri currently is sending the wrong message to young people about smoking by allowing them to do it legally. Retailers who routinely don't follow the law should face penalties, which they do under this bill. But youths should not get the message that the law only applies to those who sell tobacco and not those who purchase it.
Cigarettes are killers.
They are just as dangerous, if not more so, than some illegal substances. Just as with consuming alcohol, people younger than 18 should be told it is against the law to buy and use tobacco.