A proposed bill would raise the smoking age to 21 nationwide.

Senators Mitch McConnel and Tim Kaine are joining forces from both sides of the aisle to introduce the "Tobacco-Free Youth Act." The bill is the second this year that would mean a smoking age increase.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says smoking and vaping among teenagers is now an epidemic.

McConnell calls youth vaping "a public health crisis," and says that parents and public servants are responsible for doing everything they can to keep vaping products out of high schools and youth culture.

Kaine says the country is "backsliding," citing recent increases in youth tobacco use.