NYC to Raise Cigarette-Buying Age

The New York City Council is considering upping the legal age to purchase cigarettes from 18 to 21, Council Speaker Christine Quinn announced Monday. She’s counting on City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley, fellow City Council members, and health advocates to support the proposed law, despite arguments from opponents that as legal adults, 18-year-olds should be able to decide for themselves whether they want to smoke. If this proposal passes, New York would be the biggest city to ban tobacco purchases for those younger than 21. “With this legislation, we’ll be targeting the age group at which the overwhelming majority of smokers start,” Quinn said.