New York City is considering raising the legal age to purchase cigarettes from 18 to 21. 

This new proposal would not prohibit people under 21 from possessing or smoking cigarettes. Which seems odd.

New York officials say raising the age to 21 would reduce the smoking rate among 18-20-year-olds by 55 percent.  But what would the effect be for people under 21 trying to obtain cigarettes?

If the proposal passes, New York would be the biggest city to ban tobacco purchases for those younger than 21.

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