MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan has announced that he will be holding a public hearing on a local law that would raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products in Chautauqua County from 18 to 21 years old.
The public hearing will be held Thursday, May 12 at 3 p.m. in the Legislative Chambers of the Gerace Office Building in Mayville.
The local law was previously approved by the Chautauqua County Legislature during its April voting session by a vote of 13-6. According to the local law, the sale of tobacco and related products to individuals under 21 years of age should be prohibited in order to further the goals of New York State’s tobacco use prevention and control program, responding to the fact that tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in New York State.
If signed by the county executive the local law would make it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase tobacco products, as well as electronic cigarette products.
After the public hearing Horrigan will have until May 28 to make a decision on signing the local law. If he signs the law it would go into effect on October 1, 2016. If he were to veto the law, the legislature would need a minimum of 13 votes for an override.
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