BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

New Jersey is one of four states that allows the legal purchase of tobacco at age 19. But some state legislators are still dismayed by smoking statistics from the federal government.

It’s likely to get tougher to smoke in our state in the future.

According to an Associated Press report in the Courier Post, the state Senate has approved a measure that would raise the minimum legal age to buy tobacco and e-cigarettes to 21. The bill now moves on to the Assembly.

Woodbridge Senator Joe Vitale says many young people become regular smokers between ages 18 and 21. “If you haven’t picked up the bad habit of smoking by the time you reach 21, chances are you will not ever become a smoker,” Vitale said, according to NorthJersey.com.

Senator Richard Codey noted that 700 people in that age group become regular smokers every day. "Tobacco is a killer and, sadly, each day more young people are becoming addicted. We cannot stand by and do nothing while our residents suffer smoking-related illnesses and preventable deaths,” Codey said, according to NJ.com. “By raising the minimum smoking age, we will prevent children from buying tobacco products and becoming regular smokers. In doing so we will save lives.”

The Washington Post reported that initial fines for retailers who sell tobacco or e-cigarettes to consumers under 21 would be $500. A second fine would be $1,000.

For an opposing point of view, Essex Senator Ronald Rice argued that people who were old enough to buy real estate, pay taxes, and serve in the military should not be denied the right to purchase cigarettes.

“I just think you are wrong for making that decision for folk, particularly those who may not ever get back home doing military services,” said Rice, a smoker, according to NJ Spotlight. “And if they travel throughout the country doing their time in the service and they’re buying cigarettes elsewhere, and they come here and they can’t buy it, as an adult -- I have a problem with that.”

FILE PHOTO — CREDIT: MORGUEFILE