Tobacco.org

Under proposed law 19-year-olds couldn't buy tobacco 

A law that would bar Onondaga County stores from selling tobacco to people under 19 cleared the legislative health committee today.

The full Legislature will consider the law at its May 5 session. Under the proposed law, businesses caught selling tobacco, herbal cigarettes, rolling papers or pipes to those under 19 could be fined $300 to $1,000 for the first offense, $500 to $1,500 for subsequent violations. Merchants would need to see identification of anyone who looks younger than 25.

State law already bans sales to people 18 or younger.

The Onondaga Tobacco 19 Law sponsored by Robert Warner, R-Van Buren, and Lovie Winslow, D-Syracuse, is identical to the version passed last year but vetoed by then County Executive Nick Pirro. Pirro complained the law did not include a funding source, and he agreed with veterans groups that 18-year-old service members should be allowed to buy tobacco.

Since then, the sponsors have determined that the state will help fund enforcement.

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