New laws going into effect in the New Year

When the clock finally strikes midnight tonight many people will be out celebrating the start of 2019. But the New Year also means new laws. There are several new pieces of legislation that will go into effect in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and some will have a big impact.

Workers will see minimum wage increase starting tomorrow. But in the Bay State there’s another major change, the age to buy tobacco products will go up.

Starting first thing in 2019 you’ll have to be at least 21 to buy tobacco in Massachusetts.

“I think we’ve got enough addictive problems in the country and we should restrict them as much as we can. Even though we’ll probably never eliminate it, it’s a good idea to curb it,” says David Corbitt of Seekonk.

About half of the cities and towns in the Bay State already have this law in place but this will make 21 the statewide standard. Something 1 college student thinks will benefit her peers.

“Now there are juuls and e–cigarettes that are easy for people to get nicotine and different things and get addicted to it at such a young age,” says Emily Casanova.

But some say, why change something that’s been the norm for so long?

“Kids should just do whatever they please. They’re 18 if they’re considered adults they can do whatever,” says Kyle Davis

Minimum wage is going up $1 in Massachusetts and workers will now make $12 an hour. It’s part of the plan to raise it to $15 an hour by 2023.

“Prices of many things have gone up so a lot of people depend on the minimum wage where it used to be for entry level positions, now some people depend on it for their total income so i think it will help the economy,” says Corbitt.

The age to buy tobacco is still 18 in Rhode Island AND minimum wage is going up in the Ocean State also, but only to $10.50.

© WLNE/ABC 6 2018