ALBANY – The Democrat-controlled New York Senate passed legislation Monday putting the state a step closer to joining seven others where the legal age for buying cigarettes and electronic cigarettes has been raised from 18 to 21.
The state Assembly, also controlled by Democrats, passed its own legislation last month.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo also supports raising the age to 21 for purchasing cigarettes and is expected to sign the legislation. Once that happens, the new law will take effect in 120 days.
Seven states and hundreds of U.S. municipalities already have similar laws in place.
In New York state, 21 is already the minimum age for buying cigarettes in 15 counties and New York City.
In 2016 the Chautauqua County Legislature approved a law raising the age to 21.
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