The Onondaga County executive has officially signed a law raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products.

The law prohibits the sale of those products to anyone under the age of 21.

It was passed by the legislature earlier this month.

County Executive Joanie Mahoney says her decision to sign the bill was based on public health data that shows those who stay away from smoking before they are 21 are much less likely to start.  

Mahoney also sent a letter to the Onondaga Nation asking them to consider making the same change. 

The law will go into effect January 1.