NEW YORK — Young New Yorkers who want to light up will soon have to wait for their 21st birthdays before they can buy a pack of smokes after lawmakers in the nation's most populous city voted overwhelmingly to raise the tobacco-purchasing age from 18 to 21.
The City Council's vote Wednesday makes New York the biggest city to bar cigarette sales to 19- and 20-year-olds, and one of only a few places throughout the United States that have tried to stymie smoking among young people by raising the purchasing age. The council also approved a bill that sets a minimum $10.50-a-pack price for tobacco cigarettes and steps up law enforcement on illegal tobacco sales.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a strong supporter of tough smoking restrictions, has 30 days to sign the bills into law. The minimum age bill will take effect 180 days after enactment.
The city's current age limit is 18, a federal minimum that's standard in many places. Smoking in city parks and beaches already is prohibited, as it is in restaurants.
Reader poll
What's an appropriate minimum age for tobacco purchases?
- 16
- 18
- 21
- No restrictions.
- It should be outlawed.
- Other.
7 total votes.