## Legal Smoking Ages in Different Jurisdictions

The legal age for smoking tobacco varies across the world, often reflecting cultural norms, public health awareness, and government policies targeted at reducing the commencement of smoking among youth. Delineating the age at which individuals can legally purchase and consume tobacco is a policy tool used by nations to combat early tobacco addiction and its associated health risks. Below, we explore the complexities and variances in legal smoking ages, focusing on the two approaches as embodied in Answer A and Answer B.

### Answer A: Diverse State Laws with Federal Oversight in the United States

In the United States, the legal age for purchasing tobacco products is primarily governed at a state rather than at a federal level, although federal laws influence state regulations. Historically, states set different minimum ages for legal purchases, ranging widely from 18 to 21. However, a significant policy shift occurred with the passage of the Federal "Tobacco 21" law, which was signed in December 2019. This federal law amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, raising the federal minimum age for sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years. This change was aimed at addressing public health concerns about the rising use of tobacco and nicotine products among youths, particularly in light of the vaping epidemic.

Importantly, the federal law does not preempt state regulations that might impose stricter controls. Therefore, states still have the power to enact and enforce regulations that can include additional restrictions such as possession and use. Some states, for instance, have laws that penalize the possession of tobacco products by minors, while others do not have such statutes, focusing rather on penalizing the act of selling to minors.

Thus, in the US, while all states must comply with the minimum age of 21 for the sale of tobacco products as required by federal law, the laws regarding possession and use can vary widely. Local jurisdictions may also implement additional rules, such as smoke-free zones and taxes on tobacco sales, further complicating the legal landscape.

### Answer B: A Uniform Age Minimum in Certain Countries (Case Study: South Korea)

Unlike the decentralized approach seen in the United States, some countries employ a uniform national legal smoking age. South Korea presents an interesting case where the national law sets a uniform legal smoking age, which is currently 19 years old. In South Korea, adolescents under 19 years of age are prohibited from purchasing and using tobacco products. This age limit is enforced strictly, with identity checks in places selling tobacco products being a common practice. 

The age of 19 was determined as part of broader health and social policies aimed at protecting young people from the harmful effects of smoking. South Korea has been known for its stringent anti-smoking regulations, which also include extensive bans on smoking in public places and large pictorial health warnings on cigarette packaging. The choice of 19 years aligns with other societal permissions and responsibilities that are granted at this age, integrating tobacco use into a broader framework of legal adulthood and citizenship responsibility.

### Conclusion

The determination of a legal smoking age is deeply embedded within cultural, legal, and socio-economic contexts of a country or, in cases like the US, even within different states within the country. While some places opt for a uniform national age, others have a fragmented system with varying ages and rules about acquisition and use. This reflects broader attitudes toward governance, individual freedom, and public health strategy. The age itself, whether 19 or 21, forms part of a wider public health policy aimed at delaying the initiation into smoking and reducing the overall prevalence of tobacco use among young people. 

These variations illustrate the challenges and complexities of effectively controlling tobacco use through legislation, particularly among young people, while also highlighting the different approaches countries take based on their unique societal values and public health priorities.