Age to Purchase Tobacco Products Raises to 21

The Governor signed into law a bill (S.2833/A.558) to raise the minimum sales age for tobacco and electronic cigarette products from 18 to 21. Previously, each county was able to raise the age to 21 by the adoption of a local law. The law will take effect on November 13, 2019.

Governor Cuomo said:

“New York is taking aggressive action to stamp out smoking among teens and children, but tobacco and e-cigarette use still persists thanks to irresponsible corporate marketing campaigns targeting young people. By raising the smoking age from 18 to 21, we can stop cigarettes and e-cigarettes from getting into the hands of young people in the first place and prevent an entire generation of New Yorkers from forming costly and potentially deadly addictions.”