<p>New York raised the minimum age to buy cigarettes to 21, in its latest initiative to encourage healthier behaviour among residents.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The law, signed November 19 shortly before former mayor Michael Bloomberg finished his second term, had a six-month waiting period before it came into effect -- but its impact can already be clearly felt.<br /><br />"Under 21, no tobacco," warned a small sign at the entrance of a small shop that sells smokes, newspapers, candy, coffee and cakes, in the Nolita neighbourhood (North of Little Italy).<br /><br />No tobacco, either, for anyone who can't present a valid ID proving their age.<br /> Shopkeeper scan IDs to test their authenticity before handing over the box of cigarettes.<br /><br />The measure -- unprecedented among America's big cities -- raises the legal age to buy cigarettes from 18. It also applies to other forms of tobacco and to e-cigarettes.<br /><br />It's the latest of New York's efforts to reduce smoking in the city, which bans cigarettes and, as of April 29, e-cigarettes in restaurants and bars, in parks or squares, and at the city's public beaches. Some private residential buildings have also banned smoking.<br /><br />Cigarette taxes in the city are also the highest in the country: USD 5.85 a carton, which brings the overall price to around USD 12. In addition, the city has established a minimum price of USD 10.50 a box for cigarettes.<br /><br />Nataleigh Kohn, 23, who works at a startup company, underwent her ID check with good grace.<br /><br />"It is a good thing. People in high school can't start smoking," she said.<br /><br />Thomas Wall, 24, a former smoker who works in architecture, agreed, though he said the measure probably wouldn't eliminate teen smoking all together.<br /><br />He compared the new age restriction to the ones around alcohol, which set the US drinking at at 21.<br /><br />When underage people want alcoholic drinks, they often get them from older people who buy for them.<br /><br />Shopkeeper Muhammad Arisur Khaman said he's seen some complaints since the law was implemented, but not many. He just tells unhappy clients: "It's the law."<br /><br />The higher minimum age is "a step in the right direction," said Pat Bonadies, a teacher walking with a group of students in Union Square. </p>
<p>New York raised the minimum age to buy cigarettes to 21, in its latest initiative to encourage healthier behaviour among residents.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The law, signed November 19 shortly before former mayor Michael Bloomberg finished his second term, had a six-month waiting period before it came into effect -- but its impact can already be clearly felt.<br /><br />"Under 21, no tobacco," warned a small sign at the entrance of a small shop that sells smokes, newspapers, candy, coffee and cakes, in the Nolita neighbourhood (North of Little Italy).<br /><br />No tobacco, either, for anyone who can't present a valid ID proving their age.<br /> Shopkeeper scan IDs to test their authenticity before handing over the box of cigarettes.<br /><br />The measure -- unprecedented among America's big cities -- raises the legal age to buy cigarettes from 18. It also applies to other forms of tobacco and to e-cigarettes.<br /><br />It's the latest of New York's efforts to reduce smoking in the city, which bans cigarettes and, as of April 29, e-cigarettes in restaurants and bars, in parks or squares, and at the city's public beaches. Some private residential buildings have also banned smoking.<br /><br />Cigarette taxes in the city are also the highest in the country: USD 5.85 a carton, which brings the overall price to around USD 12. In addition, the city has established a minimum price of USD 10.50 a box for cigarettes.<br /><br />Nataleigh Kohn, 23, who works at a startup company, underwent her ID check with good grace.<br /><br />"It is a good thing. People in high school can't start smoking," she said.<br /><br />Thomas Wall, 24, a former smoker who works in architecture, agreed, though he said the measure probably wouldn't eliminate teen smoking all together.<br /><br />He compared the new age restriction to the ones around alcohol, which set the US drinking at at 21.<br /><br />When underage people want alcoholic drinks, they often get them from older people who buy for them.<br /><br />Shopkeeper Muhammad Arisur Khaman said he's seen some complaints since the law was implemented, but not many. He just tells unhappy clients: "It's the law."<br /><br />The higher minimum age is "a step in the right direction," said Pat Bonadies, a teacher walking with a group of students in Union Square. </p>