Age Restrictions, Legislation 0

Teaneck, N.J. Raises Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco to 21

By @phxcigarguy · On November 14, 2014
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Wednesday night, the town council of Teaneck, N.J. voted to increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21, a change that will take effect in a few weeks barring any legal challenges.

New Jersey state law currently sets the minimum age to purchase tobacco products at 19, but Mayor Lizette Parker told NorthJersey.com that the change reflects the responsibility felt among officials to promote healthy lifestyles for young residents.

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The seven member council voted 5-1 in favor of the change with one member absent. Deputy Mayor Elie Katz opposed the measure saying it would hurt businesses already struggling in the township.

Sal Risalvato, executive director of the New Jersey Gasoline-Convenience-Automotive Association, said that “what they did in Teaneck is feel good, do nothing, silly legislation; they didn’t even have the guts to make it illegal to buy tobacco. They only penalize the people who are selling it and that’s wrong.”

Teaneck becomes the third municipality in the state to make the increase, joining Englewood and Sayreville, both of which passed similar measures earlier this year. There is still active legislation in the New Jersey Legislature to make the increase from 19 to 21.

The township is home to just over 40,000 residents and is situated about 18 miles northeast of Newark.

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the Spring Training public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies, PA announcer for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, and PA announcer for the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA. I'm also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice talent and writer, among other things. I previously covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.