NYC tobacco law raises minimum age to 21

Nov. 20 (UPI) -- New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has made another move to make his city healthier.

The outgoing mayor signed the Tobacco 21 bill, which prohibits the sale of tobacco, including electronic cigarettes, to people under the age of 21. He also signed the Sensible Tobacco Enforcement, which outlaws tobacco discounts and works to crack down on vendors avoiding taxes.

"By increasing the smoking age from 18 to 21, we will help prevent another generation from the ill health and shorter life expectancy that comes with smoking," Bloomberg said in a statement when the measure passed city council.

Bloomberg said anyone who fought the measure for economic reasons "really ought to look in the mirror and be ashamed."

"This is an issue of whether we are going to kill people," he said.

The measure will go into effect in 180 days.

[NY Post] [CNN]