A GROUNDBREAKING bill that would make Hawaii the first US state to raise the legal smoking age to 21 cleared the Legislature on Friday and is headed to the governor.

The bill would prevent young people from smoking, buying or possessing both traditional and electronic cigarettes.

Governor David Ige hasn't yet decided whether he will sign the bill and said he will not review it until it is vetted by his staff for any legal issues, as is the case with all bills.

Ige said: "The departments will be doing their review and then we'll have the opportunity to look at it.

Jessica Yamauchi, executive director of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii, called the legislation "groundbreaking".

Dozens of local governments have similar bans, including Hawaii County and New York City.

According to the state Department of Heath, 5600 youngsters in Hawaii try smoking each year, and 90% daily smokers begin the habit before age 19.