Taking a page from efforts in New York, some New Jersey lawmakers want to raise their state's minimum age for buying cigarettes to 21.

The limit is already that high in two Massachusetts communities.

New Jersey state Sen. Richard Codey and Assemblyman Ruben Ramos broached the plan today in New York City.

The city spurred interest in the idea last month. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and colleagues proposed raising the age limit to from 18 to 21.

Some New York state lawmakers have since proposed doing likewise.

The limit is now 19 in New Jersey.

Advocates say higher age limits help stop young people from developing a potentially deadly habit. But the higher limits face some criticism from retail groups and smokers' rights advocates.