On Thursday, in the California Senate, legalization to increase the legal smoking age in the state from 18 to 21 was presented.

The bill was authored by Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina (Los Angeles County). Hernandez introduced the bill with an aim to curb the access of tobacco products among teenagers and it will further bring a decline in addition rates.

Hernandez was of the view that tobacco companies are well aware of the fact that people have increased chances to become addicted to tobacco products if they start having them in early age. He said that it is high time now to take some action.

"We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines while big tobacco markets to our kids and gets another generation of young people hooked on a product that will ultimately kill them", affirmed Hernandez.

The bill, SB151, is being supported by many organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the Cancer Action Network and the American Lung Association. These organizations are also pushing for $2-per-pack tax increase on cigarettes.

Luther Cobb, MD, president of the California Medical Assn., thinks that the measure would help in bringing a decline in tobacco use among young people and further reduce many preventable diseases.