North Hempstead voted unanimously this week to pass a law raising the age to purchase tobacco from 19 to 21 years old.

The law includes the sale of tobacco products, liquid nicotine and electronic cigarettes.

The town has become the first in Nassau County to raise the minimum age requirement.

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth says the law was inspired by the late Legislator Judy Jacobs, who died in September.

The law goes into effect March 1, 2017.

Suffolk County passed similar legislation two years ago. That was followed by New York City raising the minimum age to 21.

The legal age to purchase tobacco products remains 19 in most of Nassau County. Nassau Democrats say they have pushed bills to raise the age for years but that the Republican majority in the Legislature has ignored them.

Legislator Kevan Abrahams says he is about to introduce tobacco age legislation again. Presiding Officer Norma Gonzalez says she is not against raising the minimum age, but that changes to the age should be done at a state level.