The nation’s capitol could be the next major city to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21, as earlier this week the city council gave its first approval to a package of anti-tobacco legislation.

Use of electronic cigarettes would also become subject to many of the same prohibitions that tobacco faces, such as use in restaurants, workplaces, public facilities and schools, though they and tobacco would still be allowed on the patios and outdoor areas of restaurants and bars.

The council also gave an initial approval to a ban on smokeless tobacco at sports facilities, including Nationals Park.

A second vote is required before the legislation would be sent to Mayor Muriel E. Bowser for her signature. A second hearing has not yet been set.

Washington, D.C. is home to nearly 660,000 residents.

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.