Nation and World

Utah, Colorado lawmakers vote to hike smoking age to 21

Two Western states with some of the nation’s lowest smoking rates are considering cracking down even more by raising the tobacco age to 21. Utah and Colorado lawmakers both voted favorably on proposals Thursday to treat tobacco like alcohol and take it away from 18- to 20-year-olds, a move inspired by new research on how many smokers start the habit as teenagers.

More talking, longer sentences help babies’ brains

By LAURAN NEERGAARD Associated Press

February 16, 2014 - 1:00 pm

The sooner you start explaining the world to your baby, the better.

Report: Children, young adults regularly consuming caffeine

By LINDSEY TANNER ASSOCIATED PRESS

February 11, 2014 - 9:27 am

Nearly 3 out of 4 U.S. children and young adults consume at least some caffeine, mostly from soda, tea and coffee. The rate didn’t budge much over a decade, although soda use declined and energy drinks became an increasingly common source, a government analysis finds.