UP IN SMOKE

Hawaii Set to Raise Smoking Age to 21

Bill goes to governor's desk for signature.

A bill that would have Hawaii raise its legal smoking age from 18 to 21 passed the state legislature on Friday and is now on its way to be signed by the governor. If Gov. David Ige signs it, Hawaii would be the first U.S. state to make the legal smoking age 21, preventing anyone younger from smoking, buying or possessing cigarettes (including electronic ones). “It’s definitely groundbreaking legislation,” Jessica Yamauchi, executive director of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii, told NBC News. “It’s amazing to be the first state in something. That’s very exciting for us.” It is unclear whether Ige will sign the bill.