Princeton raises age to purchase tobacco to 21

Princeton has become the next town in New Jersey to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21 years old. The restrictions also apply to E-cigarettes. The Princeton Health Department believes

News 12 Staff

•

May 21, 2015, 5:30 AM

•

Updated 3,502 days ago

Princeton has become the next town in New Jersey to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21 years old.

The restrictions also apply to E-cigarettes. The Princeton Health Department believes raising the age limit will help keep young adults from starting to smoke.

"There are 19-year-olds that spend time with high school students. What this does is separate the gap, so the chance for initiation is much less," says Jeff Grosser with the Health Department

However, tobacco products will still be available to 19-year-olds in neighboring towns.

Princeton shops caught selling cigarettes to underage people could be subject to fines.

There are now seven towns in New Jersey that have raised the age to purchase tobacco to 21. A bill is pending in the state legislature to raise the limit statewide.

The current age limit to purchase tobacco in New Jersey is 19.