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San Francisco Looks At Raising Age For Buying Tobacco To 21

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) — San Francisco is considering raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports Tuesday that the legislation to be introduced Supervisor Scott Wiener will be considered Tuesday. If approved, would make San Francisco the second major city in the country, behind New York City, to make the move.

Santa Clara County is also one of about 80 governments around the country that have raised the cigarette buying age to 21.

An attempt to pass the same law in the California Legislature stalled this year.

San Francisco has long been at the forefront of legislation aimed at curbing smoking and has banned smoking in restaurants, bars, playgrounds, parks and taxis among other places.

The National Association of Tobacco Outlets claims cities can't override California's age 18 for purchasing cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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