In a close vote, Suffolk County voted to raise the age to purchase tobacco to 21. Currently, the age to purchase in Nassau County is 19, and the legal age to purchase tobacco will soon be going up to 21 in New York City. Lawmakers seem to believe banning substances is the proper step to stop teens from smoking, drinking and finding even stronger (and more dangerous) substances to use. However, it is clear through patterns we have seen in history, and even among friend groups, that the laws only promote crime and an illegal black market.