A bill to raise the age to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to 21 won preliminary approval Tuesday in the Vermont House.

Lawmakers supported Senate Bill 86 by a 124-14 margin, with a final vote in the House set for Wednesday.   

Supporters say Vermont and other states are seeing an increase in smoking rates among teenagers,  especially among teens who use vaping products or e-cigarettes.

The National Academies of Medicine found that raising the age to 21 will reduce the smoking rate over time by 12% and reduce smoking-related deaths by 10%.