SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio City Council on Thursday afternoon approved a proposal to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco within city limits to 21 years old.

The move makes San Antonio the first city in Texas to do so.

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In approving the proposal, penalties for purchasing and possessing were removed. Retailers, however, will be cited for selling to those under 21.

According to Tobacco Free Kids, San Antonio joins 260 municipalities nationwide in making the change.

Advocates say tobacco use leads to about $300 billion every year in lost productivity and health care expenses.

The new age requirement is slated to go into effect on Aug. 1.