A bill to increase the legal smoking Age statewide to 21 was signed by Hawaii's governor on Friday, making the state first in the country to do so. The law will come into effect on January 1, 2016.

The bill will also prohibit the sales, purchase or use of electronic cigarettes for those younger than 21 years. "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", said Governor David Ige in a statement.

Ige also signed a bill on Friday to ban smoking and e-cigarette use at state parks and beaches. The legal smoking age in most US states is 18, while a few states have set it higher at 19. The smoking age has already been set at 21 by some cities and counties, including New York City and Hawaii County.

Nearly nine out of 10 smokers in Hawaii begin smoking before the age of 21 and many admit that they get cigarettes from friends or relatives of legal age to start the habit, said the governor's office.

Jessica Yamauchi, executive director of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii, said the bill shows promise to have a great impact by not allowing people aged below 21 to get access to cigarettes. The state Department of Health will educate the public about the law, which is slated to come into effect on the first day of 2016.