TRENTON, New Jersey -- New Jersey's smoking age is now 21, after a new law took effect Wednesday.
The restriction applies to tobacco products and electronic smoking devices. Previously, the age was 19.
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Republican Gov. Chris Christie signed the bill into law in July. Christie cited the strain on the health care system caused by tobacco-related illnesses when he made his decision. Reports show smoking causes about $4 billion in health care costs to New Jersey each year.
Democratic Sens. Richard Codey and Joseph Vitale co-sponsored the bill Christie signed into law. Vitale says making it more difficult to buy cigarettes "will help prevent our youth from becoming lifelong smokers and suffering the long-term effects of the habit."
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Hawaii and California are the only other states where the smoking age is 21.