Albany, N.Y. - New Yorkers are going to have to be a bit older if they want to buy tobacco products:
The age to purchase tobacco rises today from 18 to 21. The age change applies to traditional cigarettes as well as electronic cigarettes and vaporizers.
The change is due to the Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act that was signed into law by Governor Cuomo in July. Supporters believe upping the purchase age will help lower teen smoking rates.
Any retailers caught breaking the law could face fines and the loss of their license to sell tobacco products.
New York is not the first state to make the move. Sixteen states have approved raising the smoking age to 21, though in some the changes won't take effect until later in 2019 or in coming years.