SALT LAKE CITY – On the heels of New York City’s increase of the age for buying tobacco products, two Utah lawmakers are seeking to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco in Utah from 19 to 21, Deseret News reports.

"If we can make sure that we keep them away from what everybody now admits are substances with no redeeming value, then I think we'll be able to protect a lot of people from health damage and protect society from hundreds of millions of dollars in costs," said state Rep. Kraig Powell.

Powell and state Sen. Stuart Reid were scheduled to present the proposal to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee yesterday. Their bill would also raise the age for buying smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes.

If the measure passes, Utah would become the first state to raise the tobacco-buying age to 21. New Jersey and Hawaii are considering it.

The Utah Retail Merchants Association opposes the measure and questions whether it would prevent underage smoking.

"For us, the fundamental question is: What role do you want government to play in this process?" said association president David Davis. "If I'm old enough to vote, if I'm old enough to be drafted and fight for my country, am I old enough to make a decision as to whether or not to engage in smoking?"