WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington, D.C., City Council has passed a bill that would increase the tobacco buying age to 21, WTOP-FM reports. Three councilmembers opposed the measure to make it a civil offense for someone under the age of 21 to buy or possess tobacco.

We have a sliding scale regarding what is adulthood,” said Chairman Phil Mendelson, who voted against the bill. “That’s what we’re doing here. We’re sliding that scale from 18 to 21 with regard to smoking a cigarette. … We have seen over and over again the inclination to address a problem by prohibiting it. … It doesn’t work.”

The council also approved of a measure that extends public smoking bans to include electronic cigarettes, the Washington Post reports. In addition, the bill would prohibit the use of all tobacco products, including chewing tobacco, at sport facilities.

Currently, California and Hawaii have upped the minimum tobacco buying age to 21, along with Boston, Chicago and New York City. Read more about increased age limits for tobacco purchases in “Must be 21 to Buy” in NACS Magazine.