A proposal to raise the minimum purchasing age for tobacco products from 19 to 21-years-old is set to get a Dec. 5 vote by the Onondaga County Legislature on Dec. 5 after passing its health committee hearing on Monday.
Currently, the law requires individuals to be at least 19-years-old to purchase tobacco products, though an exemption allows for members of the military to purchase tobacco if they are at least 18-years-old. That exemption would be removed should the bill pass the full legislature.
The increase would also apply to electronic cigarettes, pipes, rolling papers, and related products. As currently written, it would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2018, should it pass.
Onondaga County is located in the northern part of the state, with Syracuse as its county seat. It is home to approximately 470,000 residents.
