Rockland County is one signature away from raising the legal minimum age to buy cigarettes and other tobacco products from 18 to 21.

County Legislator Aney Paul says if the bill becomes law, Rockland would join Orange County, New York City and a handful of other areas in the state where the legal minimum age is already 21.

The bill passed the Legislature last week by a 12-1 vote.

The only lawmaker who said no was Legislator Patrick Moroney, who said the bill's mandate for up to $2,000 in daily fines per violation would devastate local shops that sell tobacco. 

The bill has already been sent to Rockland County Executive Ed Day. He has 21 days to either approve or veto it.