Legislation to make Hawaii the first US state to raise the minimum age to 21 for purchasing tobacco products awaits the signature of Gov David Ige, according to news accounts.

Senate Bill 1030 would raise the age for purchasing products including cigarettes, e-cigarettes and cigars. Passed by the legislature on 24 April, the bill has been sent to the governors’ office for signature. Gov Ige said he was considering whether to sign the legislation into law, the Washington Post reported. Ige recently signed into law a bill banning the use of e-cigarettes where smoking is prohibited, KHON2 television said on its website.
At least 64 US cities and counties, including New York City, have increased the minimum tobacco sales age to 21, said the American Lung Association. States considering similar measures include California, Washington, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont, the health group said.