On March 12, the Alaska Society of Addiction Medicine (AKSAM) sent a letter of support for HB49/SB24 to members of the Senate Committee on Labor and Business. HB49/SB24 would strengthen youth tobacco prevention efforts by raising the minimum age for purchase and possession to 21.

In the letter, AKSAM affirmed its support for an approach to tobacco prevention that aims to reduce youth use of harmful products and safeguard public health. Further, AKSAM stressed the importance of youth prevention as a means to reduce the likelihood of future dependency in adults. Additionally, AKSAM cited the unfortunate fact that Alaska’s tobacco usage rate among youth is higher than most other states. In turn, lawmakers must take steps to further disincentivize youth use of tobacco and other products containing nicotine. AKSAM praised HB49/SB24 as a positive effort to enhance youth prevention and improve public health in the state.