In mid-November, the state Department of Health Services announced that tobacco and vape product use among underage individuals increased by 1.7% from 2022 to 2023.  Specifically, it increased from 11.9% in 2022 to 13.6% in 2023.  This research is based on an “underage” definition of individuals younger than 21.  Per a federal law enacted in 2019, the minimum age to purchase tobacco and vape products was increased from 18 to 21.  However, despite efforts in the Legislature, Wisconsin has not updated state law to increase the minimum age from 18 to 21.  There are seven other states that also have not updated their respective state laws in a similar manner.