YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Plans are in the works for a public forum to let Youngstowners weigh-in on the idea of raising the legal age for tobacco purchases to 21.

That word comes as a new poll shows that a majority of Ohioans favor so-called “Tobacco 21” policies.

Youngstown City Council began considering a higher age for tobacco sales this past summer.

City Health Commissioner Erin Bishop tells 21 News that efforts are underway to conduct a public hearing to discuss such legislation. She hopes to schedule the hearing for sometime in mid-February.

Results of the Ohio Health Issues Poll released on Friday show that 54% of Ohio adults favor raising the minimum legal age of sale for tobacco.

The poll also found that 23% of Ohio adults admit that they are smokers, which is higher than the national rate of 15%.

Currently, Tobacco 21 policies have been passed in Hawaii, California, New Jersey, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Maine.

Sixteen cities in Ohio including Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, and Akron have adopted such policies.