Legislature Raises Age of Tobacco Purchasing to 21

This week, the Senate acted on a measure that would raise the age to legally purchase tobacco and vapor products. The bill has already passed the Assembly and now awaits delivery by the Assembly to the Governor for signature or veto. The bill would ban the sale, statewide, of all tobacco and vapor products to anyone younger than 21. Currently, counties are given the ability to pass local laws raising the age to 21 and many have done so. This bill will mandate a uniform age across the state.

Cuomo said:

“This year I proposed raising the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21 to help stamp out teen smoking and protect New Yorkers. The lifelong health effects of tobacco cannot be overstated and in New York we are committed to doing everything in our power to keep tobacco products out of the hands of young people. I commend the Assembly and now the Senate, including Senator Diane Savino and Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, for joining us in this effort, and I look forward to signing this lifesaving legislation.”