Legislators Mull Increasing Age to Buy Tobacco in County
Legislators deliberated whether it was worthwhile to bump up the age of residents who can buy tobacco products in Putnam County, during last Thursday’s Health Committee meeting.
Currently, the minimum age to buy any tobacco product in the county is 18-years-old, but some legislators, in hopes of combating early cigarette smokers, want to see that age go up to 21-years-old.
County Health Commissioner Dr. Allen Beals said the group that has the highest rate of smokers “that we can’t seem to make a dent in it,” is young residents, as well as lower education and lowers socioeconomic residents. He said most people that smoke begin before their 21st birthday and continue to do so for many years.
One way to combat smoking, Beals said, is to make it less convenient and accessible.
By raising the age to 21, it would hopefully help stop the initiation of smoking at an earlier age, Beals said. As Legislator and Health Committee chairwoman Barbara Scuccimarra, who supports raising the minimum age, said, “This is an addiction that starts young.”
Legislators Ginny Nacerino and Carl Albano also voiced support for the proposed law.
“You look at these kids and any guidance you can give them, it might turn one or two of them in another direction,” Albano said. “Because it’s a killer and once they get hooked it’s just like another form of drug.
Legislators Kevin Wright and Roger Gross both spoke out against raising the age, citing personal responsibility should be placed on the individual resident and not on government. Getting married, voting, serving in the armed forces are all things residents can do when they turn 18, Gross said, questioning why determining to smoke should be any different.
“I just think that at that age (18) people can make their decisions in what they want to do,” Gross said.
Wright said he believes government has taken too much responsibility away from 18-years-old, noting “we’ve made the 21-years-olds of this century barely equivalent to what used to be the 15 and 16-years-old of the last century.”
Scuccimarra countered that tobacco companies consistently target younger smokers who are more impressionable. Following the meeting, Beals also pointed out the state and county have a host of regulations like enforcing using a seatbelt and needing car insurance, stating it’s not unusual for government to take on public health issues and legislate accordingly.
“There’s no question people who become smokers start before 21 and to make it more difficult and less convenient to obtain cigarettes has to have a positive impact,” Beals said. “ I think it’s a great measure to address a very serious health issue.”
