The General Assembly has passed legislation that will raise Connecticut's smoking age.

The legislation will raise the smoking age to 21. Gov. Ned Lamont supports the change.

The new law also applies to e-cigarettes, but does not ban flavored vape pods, as some health advocates wanted.

The change will take effect Oct. 1.

Lamont issued a statement applauding the passage:

“When our laws surrounding tobacco products were written several decades ago, the medical evidence about the impact of the substance did not exist. With the rising use of e-cigarettes and vaping products among young people, we are seeing a growing public health crisis. Some have pointed out that raising the age to 21 will result in a net revenue loss to the state, but when it comes to the health of our young people we need to do what is right. I applaud the bipartisan members from each chamber of our state Legislature for voting to raise the age. When I sign this into law, we will have taken an important step forward in protecting the health of the youngest members of our communities.”