By signing the $738 billion Defense Spending Bill, on Friday, President Donald Trump has raised the legal age for smoking to 21 nationwide — news that went largely unnoticed.
The new rules include cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
The smoking age hike had bipartisan support in the Senate, and was co-authored by Democrats Brian Schatz and Dick Durbin, and Republicans Mitt Romney and Todd Young, CNN reported.
Now that Trump’s signature is on the bill, the Food and Drug Administration has 180 days to update its regulations — and the new age requirement will go into effect 90 days later, ABC News reported.
Nineteen states, including New York, have already raised the smoking age to 21, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
The move comes as lawmakers attempt to address the nationwide vaping epidemic among young people — and the escalating number of vaping-related deaths, which recently reached 47.
On Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a law making flavored e-cigarettes illegal in New York City.
A similar bill to ban menthol-cigarette sales died in the council.
Tobacco use has already been dropping worldwide — particularly among men using traditional tobacco products.
The Defense Spending Bill also made news for officially launching Space Force.