NYC City Council to Vote on Raising Tobacco Age to 21

NEW YORK -- The New York City Council will likely pass a new bill today raising the minimum age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21, according to media reports. The health committee already passed the bill unanimously on Tuesday.

The legislation would make New York the first city to have a minimum tobacco-purchasing age higher than 19 if passed. Department of Health officials say a higher minimum age would discourage teenagers from smoking.

The bill would also bar retailers from selling any kind of tobacco product at a discount.