California Assembly votes to raise smoking age to 21, seeks e-cigarette bans

In an effort to target young smokers and keep them away from the harm of nicotine, the California Assembly voted to raise the smoking age from 18 to 21 on Thursday. If it passes the Senate, California would be among the first states to raise the smoking age. Hawaii has already done so, and it appears New Jersey isn't far behind.

Last year, the state Senate approved the bill but it stalled for months in the Assembly, so many legislature observers in Sacramento think the move to raise the smoking age won't face much opposition.

Proponents say the bill would save lives and prevent 18-year-olds from buying tobacco for their high-school-age friends.

Critics say the bill infringes on individual freedoms and the government shouldn't tell adults what to do.

The Assembly's vote moved the tobacco-related legislation forward, but its not the only item on their agenda March 3 that related to smoking.

They voted 50-20 to approve a bill created by Senator Mark Leno of San Francisco to ban the use of e-cigarettes in public places such as restaurants and theaters where traditional smoking is prohibited. Vapers would face the same restrictions as smokers.

The bill now goes back to the Senate for approval. It was previously approved by them, but with some minor tweaks in the Assembly it must go back for final approval.

"E-cigarettes threaten our health," Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Alameda) said in a floor speech. "We cannot allow our next generations to become addicted to this new tobacco product."