Last week, Hawaii became the first U.S. state to raise the legal smoking age to 21.

The measure Gov. David Ige signed into law on Friday is an effort to prevent teenagers from smoking or buying cigarettes. The bill will also ban the "sale, purchase or use of electronic cigarettes for those under the age of 21," Reuters reported.

"Raising the minimum age as part of our comprehensive tobacco control efforts will help reduce tobacco use among our youth and increase the likelihood that our keiki (children) will grow up to be tobacco-free," Ige said in a statement.

This smoking measure could reduce Hawaiians' risk of becoming regular or daily tobacco users by delaying the age when people first experiment or begin using tobacco. Ige's office also believes this law will increase their chance of quitting should they become users.

According to the governor's office, 86 percent of current adult smokers in Hawaii begin smoking before they turn 21; of these, 34 percent start smoking between 18 to 20 years old.

"I think it's going to have a tremendous impact," Jessica Yamauchi, executive director of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii, told the Associated Press. "By really limiting the access it will really help to curb the prevalence."

Local governments like Hawaii County and New York City have similar bans, the AP reported.

Most U.S. states have an MLA of 18, with the exception of four states (Alabama, Alaska, New Jersey and Utah) which have raised the minimum age to 19. Hawai'i County is one of a handful of cities/counties to have already raised the MLA to 21, having passed the bill last year.

"Hawai'i continues to be a leader in tobacco prevention and control," said Director of Health Dr. Virginia Pressler. "Partners statewide have come together to support this monumental legislation that once again puts Hawai'i at the cutting edge of public health policy and protecting the health of our youth."

The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2016.