It's Official, Soon You Will Need to Be 21 to Buy Tobacco in N.Y.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation yesterday to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco or electric cigarette products from 18 to 21. According to WBNG, The bill will go into effect in 120 days.

Let me start off by saying I understand that smoking and using tobacco products is not good for you health. I totally understand that. But, as a person who has been smoking on and off for most of my life, I believe it is my right to smoke if I want. Just like alcohol isn't the best thing for your body, you still have the choice whether or not you want to drink.

When it comes to age restrictions on smoking, I started smoking one or two cigarettes a week when I was back in fifth grade. Was it against the law back then? Yeah it was, but it wasn't enforced in the 70s.

I did not have a problem with the legal age being 18 because I think at that point you are an adult and you should be able to make your own decisions. That is why I do have a problem with this new law that raises the age to 21.

To me, they are insinuating that you are not mature enough to make a decision until you're 21. And if that's the case, then I think it's time to raise the age of voting to 21, and buying lottery tickets to 21.

If you can be tried as an adult at the age of 18 then let them make the adult decisions when it comes to things like smoking.

That's my opinion on the whole situation and does not necessarily reflect the views of the company that I work for.

[via WBNG]