Mitch McConnell and Big Tobacco have teamed up on a campaign to raise the smoking age. What gives? The Center for Public Integrity: Big Tobacco’s Surprising New Campaign To Raise The Smoking Age. “Public health groups, which first pushed for 21, claim the latest effort is a cynical ploy from an old tobacco playbook — playing the good guy and supporting weak statewide legislation that adds multiple exemptions, nullifies tougher local rules and ensures ineffective enforcement.”