SAN FRANCISCO—San Francisco is in the running to begin a new age limit requirement for tobacco use which will set the legal age for tobacco use from 18 to 21 years of age. If the plan is approved, the city will be second in the nation to enforce such age restrictions, after the state of New York.

According to reports, the legislation was introduced by Supervisor Scott Weiner on Tuesday.

The National Association of Tobacco Outlets claims, that cities cannot override age requirements set forth by the state of California, according to CBS Local. If the new legislation is passed, San Francisco will become the second major city to implement a tobacco age limit.

The legislation has already impeded the use of tobacco on public, enclosed places such as restaurants, bars, playgrounds, parks and various other locations to better serve the health needs of non smokers.

The legislation was co-sponsored by Supervisors Eric Mar and Malia Cohen and are following policy implemented in New York and Santa Clara County, in addition to others.

In a statement released by Wiener regarding the issue, he hopes hopes to put a stop to illness and premature deaths. “By raising the tobacco purchase age to 21, we can reduce adolescent tobacco use, which will help combat addiction, stop long-term illness and prevent premature deaths. For decades we have seen the catastrophic health effects of tobacco use, and every day we spend millions of dollars treating people who suffer from an addiction which often starts in their teens,” said Wiener.

The University of California released a study that calculated an estimate of $380 million in healthcare costs due to smoking in 2009. In 2012, the university claimed an estimate of $18.1 billion attributed to the cost of smoking-$487 for each resident.

Canyon News reached out to the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, but did not hear back before print.