New York City raises to 21 minimum tobacco-products purchase age

New York City Council members have voted to raise the minimum age at which people can buy tobacco products from 18 to 21, according to a story by Cheryl K. Chumley for the Washington Times.

One hundred and eighty days after the mayor, Michael Bloomberg, signs the measure, which he is expected to do, the ban will go into effect.

At that time, those under 21 years of age will not be able to buy tobacco products or electronic cigarettes.

The measure will ban, too, discounts on tobacco products.

And it will increase the punishments that can be imposed on those found to be trying to evade tobacco-related taxes.

Chumley pointed out that while New York City isn’t the only city in the U.S. to ban sales of tobacco products to those under 21, it is the largest. Needham, Massachusetts, raised the minimum age to 21 eight years ago, and several other states and jurisdictions have set the minimum age at 19.