New York City Councilman Wants to Raise Smoking Age to 19

The New York Sun reports:

Mayor Bloomberg, who won a reputation as an anti-tobacco activist in his first term by raising cigarette taxes and banning smoking in restaurants and bars, is now vowing to veto two anti-teen-smoking proposals that are before the City Council.

City Council members yesterday expressed surprise at the mayor's position. "I'm speechless. I am speechless," said Council Member James Gennaro, a Queens Democrat who is the sponsor of a bill to increase the minimum legal age to buy cigarettes in the city to 19 from 18. Mr. Gennaro pronounced himself "flabbergasted."

No word yet on James Gennaro wanting to raise the drinking age to 25.The Nanny City of New York.