Smoking age could be increased to 21-years-old nationwide

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Congress is set to vote this week on legislation that would increase the smoking age nationwide from 18 to 21. The age-increase is part of a spending bill in late-stage negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House.

The age increase will be applied to both cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

While nothing is final, the age increase is likely to be included in a $1.4 trillion spending bill that must pass by Dec. 20 to avoid a government shutdown, according to congressional aides familiar with the legislation.

There are currently 18 states that require individuals to be 21 to purchase tobacco products and Pennsylvania is on a track to become the 19th.