LNAT Practice Test Essay – Should the legal age for purchasing cigarettes be raised to 21? Explain your stance.

In the LawMint LNAT Practice Test Series for 2024 and 2025, there are 30 full length tests, with 360 passages – 1260 MCQs and 90 essay prompts or essay questions.

The essay below is a sample that can be written for the prompt:

Should the legal age for purchasing cigarettes be raised to 21? Explain your stance.

This LNAT essay question is included in LawMint LNAT Practice Test series.

While the model essays may include both sides of an argument, the question may require you to state your stance - either for or against; and support it with arguments.

Read our articles and watch the videos on our YouTube channel for guidance on how to structure and write the LNAT Essay.

Introduction

Tobacco use, particularly cigarette smoking, remains a significant public health concern worldwide, causing numerous preventable deaths and diseases. In many countries, the legal age for purchasing cigarettes is 18, coinciding with the age of majority. However, there is an ongoing debate on whether raising the legal age for purchasing cigarettes to 21 would be an effective measure to reduce smoking rates and improve public health. This essay will discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of raising the legal age for purchasing cigarettes to 21 and explain the author’s stance on the issue.

Arguments in Favor of Raising the Legal Age

One of the primary arguments in favor of raising the legal age for purchasing cigarettes to 21 is that it could reduce smoking rates among young people. Research has shown that the majority of adult smokers begin smoking before the age of 18, and the earlier a person starts smoking, the more likely they are to develop a lifelong addiction to nicotine. By raising the legal age, it is believed that fewer young people would have access to cigarettes, thus decreasing the likelihood of them picking up the habit.

Additionally, raising the legal age for purchasing cigarettes could have a positive ripple effect on younger adolescents. High school students who are 18 years old can legally purchase cigarettes and may share them with their younger peers. By raising the legal age to 21, it is less likely that high school students would have access to cigarettes, reducing the overall exposure of adolescents to tobacco products.

Another argument in favor of raising the legal age is that it could lead to long-term improvements in public health. A reduction in smoking rates among young people would likely result in fewer cases of smoking-related diseases and deaths in the future. Moreover, with fewer people smoking, there would be less exposure to secondhand smoke, which is also a significant risk factor for various health issues.

Arguments Against Raising the Legal Age

Opponents of raising the legal age for purchasing cigarettes argue that doing so would infringe on the personal freedoms of young adults. They believe that individuals who are legally considered adults should be allowed to make their own decisions regarding their health and lifestyle choices, including whether or not to smoke. Furthermore, they contend that if an 18-year-old can vote, join the military, and be held legally responsible for their actions, they should also have the right to choose whether or not to smoke.

Another argument against raising the legal age is that it may not be an effective means of reducing smoking rates. Critics argue that young people who are determined to smoke will find ways to acquire cigarettes, regardless of the legal age. They also point out that underage alcohol consumption remains a pervasive issue despite legal age restrictions, suggesting that raising the legal age for purchasing cigarettes may not have the desired effect.

The Author’s Stance

After considering the arguments for and against raising the legal age for purchasing cigarettes, the author’s stance is in favor of raising the age to 21. While it is essential to respect the autonomy and personal freedoms of young adults, the potential public health benefits of raising the legal age outweigh these concerns. By making it more challenging for young people to access cigarettes, it is likely that fewer individuals would start smoking, ultimately leading to a healthier population and reduced healthcare costs associated with smoking-related diseases.

Moreover, the comparison between age restrictions on alcohol and tobacco is not entirely valid, as the social context and consequences of their consumption differ significantly. While raising the legal age for purchasing cigarettes may not eliminate underage smoking entirely, it could still lead to a substantial reduction in smoking rates among young people, making it a valuable public health measure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, raising the legal age for purchasing cigarettes to 21 is a viable strategy to reduce smoking rates among young people and improve public health outcomes. The potential benefits of such a policy, including reduced rates of smoking initiation, decreased exposure to tobacco products among adolescents, and long-term improvements in public health, justify the implementation of this measure.

While it is important to respect the personal freedoms of young adults, the severity of the health risks associated with smoking and the addictive nature of nicotine must also be taken into account. The implementation of an age restriction of 21 for cigarette purchases would not be an infringement on personal freedom, but rather a necessary step towards promoting a healthier future for the youth.

Furthermore, raising the legal age for purchasing cigarettes should be accompanied by additional public health initiatives, such as anti-smoking campaigns, increased access to smoking cessation programs, and higher taxes on tobacco products. These complementary measures could further contribute to the reduction of smoking rates and the improvement of public health.

In conclusion, raising the legal age for purchasing cigarettes to 21 is a policy that has the potential to bring about significant positive changes for public health. By reducing smoking rates among young people and promoting a healthier lifestyle, this policy can contribute to the overall well-being of society.