According to a new report a majority of adults support increasing the minimum age to buy tobacco products.

The report found support for raising the age in all regions of the country even in areas known for tobacco production. The report was published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine and was conducted by researchers from UNC and East Carolina University.

The report found that there was the most support for raising the minimum age to 21, rather than 20 or 19.

Adam Goldstein is a member of the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center and a doctor of family medicine. Goldstein said the report marked a change in public opinion.

“It appears to be a tipping point for this particular policy among the American public,” said Goldstein.

Goldstein said support for raising the age to buy tobacco products was found on both ends of the political spectrum.

“This appears to be something that can bring people together so that in a time and place in which we have a pretty rancorous public policy debate about lots of issues, this type of issue appears to be one that is not that rancorous,” said Goldstein.

The report said that raising the minimum age would reduce the overall number of smokers by 12%. Goldstein said it will also make it harder for underage kids to get tobacco products.

“If the age of purchase is 21, it’s much less likely that they’ll be able to go out and purchase products or that merchants will no longer sell to them,” said Goldstein.

Goldstein said politicians can use this study to know there is public support for these policies.

“Because we actually find [support] in every state in the country and this is a nationally representative sample that all states could go forward with this with the knowledge that this is going to be supported,” said Goldstein.

Hawaii was the first state to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products and California followed suit earlier this year. Some individual counties and cities, including New York City, have also raised the minimum age.

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