NYC Raises Smoking Age to 21

NEW YORK – The New York City Council voted to pass a bill raising the minimum age to purchase cigarettes and e-cigarettes from 18 to 21, according to an Associated Press report.

The legislation makes New York the most populous place in the United States to raise the tobacco-buying age to 21, rather than the federal minimum of 18 that is the standard in most locations.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration supports the age increase and says it will discourage teenagers from smoking.