The legal age in Nebraska to purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products could be going up under a bill introduced by Omaha State Senator Merv Riepe.  LB 73 would make it illegal to sell products containing nicotine to anyone under the age of 21.

He says making the smoking age the same as the legal drinking age would make it much easier for retailers.

Riepe says right now there are a lot of 18 year olds in high school that can purchase tobacco products for their friends.  Raising the age to 21 would lessen the chance of that happening.  Two states, California and Hawaii already have the law in place.