California lawmakers vote to raise smoking age

Sacramento, Cal. — California lawmakers voted Thursday to raise the legal age to purchase and use tobacco and e-cigarettes from 18 to 21. Now residents here are weighing in on the matter.

The bill still needs to be approved by Governor Jerry Brown before it becomes law, but it has already passed the State Assembly despite major oppositions by tobacco lobbyist and Republicans.

Democrats changed the bill to allow members of the military to continue buying cigarettes at 18. If the bill passes, California would be the second state behind Hawaii that would adopt the higher age limit.

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