NEW YORK – New York City proposed yesterday raising the legal age of smoking from 18 to 21, the Associated Press reports.

Public health advocates maintain a higher minimum age deters or at least delays smoking, thus reducing health risks. But opponents say 18-year-olds, who are legal adults, should be able to decide whether or not to smoke.

If the measure passes, New York would be the biggest city to have such a smoking limitation. Needham, Massachusetts, recently raised its minimum smoking age to 21. And Texas lawmakers tried to increase the minimum age to 21 throughout the state, but the plan stalled.

“With this legislation, we’ll be targeting the age group at which the overwhelming majority of smokers start,” said New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Under Mayor Bloomberg, New York City has launched a number of anti-smoking initiatives, including imposing the country’s highest cigarette tax and barring smoking at parks and beaches.