Massachusetts poised to raise tobacco purchasing age

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts is poised to become the sixth U.S. state to raise the minimum age for buying cigarettes and other tobacco or vaping products from 18 to 21.

A bill establishing the new purchasing age was given final approval by the House and Senate on Thursday, sending it to the desk of Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, who has signaled his support for the idea.

The legislation would bring the entire state into line with policies already in effect in more than 170 cities and towns in Massachusetts, including Boston.

California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey and Oregon also have Tobacco 21 laws , as do many other large U.S. cities.

The Massachusetts bill also bans vaping on school grounds and the sale of tobacco at pharmacies and stores located in health care facilities.