Smoking age raised in Rockland County
If you are a teenager who lives in Rockland County and smoke, you are going to have to wait another year.
The County Legislature has voted to raise the minimum age at which persons can buy tobacco and tobacco products from 18 to 19. The measure still needs the approval of County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef.
''Despite having one of the nation's most comprehensive tobacco sales enforcement and education initiatives in place, approximately 22 percent of New York's high school age children are regular smokers,'' said county legislator Ellen Jaffe, who proposed the law. ''More than 90 percent of adult smokers began smoking before age 18. A key access point for current underage tobacco use is the older peer in high school, who can obtain cigarettes legally. If we can limit access to cigarettes given to them by their older peers in high school, we can save lives.''
Moving tobacco sales to 19 ''is no panacea, but experience has shown us that a multifaceted approach of strong counter marketing, increased taxes, community efforts and vigilant enforcement can dramatically reduce tobacco use in both teens and adults,'' she said.
Suffolk County, New York recently passed a similar law. Three states, Alaska, Utah and Alabama have also raised the minimum age from 18 to 19.
If you are a teenager who lives in Rockland County and smoke, you are going to have to wait another year.
The County Legislature has voted to raise the minimum age at which persons can buy tobacco and tobacco products from 18 to 19. The measure still needs the approval of County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef.
''Despite having one of the nation's most comprehensive tobacco sales enforcement and education initiatives in place, approximately 22 percent of New York's high school age children are regular smokers,'' said county legislator Ellen Jaffe, who proposed the law. ''More than 90 percent of adult smokers began smoking before age 18. A key access point for current underage tobacco use is the older peer in high school, who can obtain cigarettes legally. If we can limit access to cigarettes given to them by their older peers in high school, we can save lives.''
Moving tobacco sales to 19 ''is no panacea, but experience has shown us that a multifaceted approach of strong counter marketing, increased taxes, community efforts and vigilant enforcement can dramatically reduce tobacco use in both teens and adults,'' she said.
Suffolk County, New York recently passed a similar law. Three states, Alaska, Utah and Alabama have also raised the minimum age from 18 to 19.
http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/RC_smk_age-06Aug05.htm