Officials on eastern Long Island claim theirs is the first municipality in the country to raise the age limit for purchasing tobacco products — and electronic cigarettes — to 21.
New York City last year passed a law raising the age limit on tobacco sales to 21. Several communities and states around the country are considering raising the limits for purchasing tobacco and e-cigarettes to 21.
Suffolk County claims it is the first to enact such a wide-ranging ban.
A county legislator who is also a pediatric surgeon sponsored the bill. William Spencer says it will save lives.
The law being signed Monday by County Executive Steve Bellone goes into effect Jan. 1.
Businesses that sell tobacco to customers younger than 21 face fines of $1,000 or more.