Onondaga County legislators voted 11-5 in favor of a proposal to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products to 21. The bill will now go to public hearing.

Tobacco 21 legislation is aimed at reducing youth access to tobacco products. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death, and data shows that the majority of smokers start before the age of 21.

Currently, 5 states have T21 restrictions, as well as over 200 localities.

Learn more about T21 from the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids here.

Read about T21 in Onondaga County here.