Monroe County Democrats want to raise the age to buy tobacco products to 21. Monroe County Legislator LaShay Harris announced the proposed legislation on Monday. If approved, Monroe County would join 22 other counties in New York that have increased the smoking age to 21. According to recent studies, cigarette smoking rates among high school students had fallen to 4 percent in 2016 from 27 percent in 2000. However, e-cigarette use had double among high school students between 2014 to 2016 (10.5 percent to 20.6 percent). A bill that would raise the age for tobacco at the state level remains in committee.