The Chicago City Council approved the age increase on Wednesday. The age to legally purchase cigarettes and tobacco products in Chicago is now 21 instead of 18.

The ordinance increases the minimum age for buying products such as cigarettes,  smokeless tobacco, and e-cigarettes.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office said that, “this step is designed to help prevent young people from becoming addicted to nicotine at an early age, in fact, research shows that four out of five smokers start the habit before the age of 21.”

Emanuel tweeted, "Chicago is choosing kids over big tobacco," after the vote.

Kristen Young, executive director for the Lung Association in Greater Chicago,  said in a statement, that, “we congratulate Chicago for joining other major cities, like New York, Boston, Cleveland, Kansas City, and our suburban neighbor Evanston in this smart policy to protect our kids from the scourge of Big Tobacco.”

"This ordinance will also save millions in health care costs and, most important, will ultimately save lives."

"In addition, 95 percent of adult smokers start before age 21.” "Raising the legal age would put tobacco products on par with alcohol and protect young adults from developing a dangerous lifelong habit and ultimately save lives," Young said.

Nandini