Raising The Legal Age For Purchasing Of Tobacco Products
Just before the end of the year, the Orange County Legislature introduced a local law which would raise the age of those permitted to purchase tobacco products within the County. That law, entitled “Local Law To Raise The Legal Age For Purchase Of Tobacco Products In Orange County, New York to 21,” Introductory No. 19 2016, was approved on January 27, 2017 and immediately adopted. It went into effect on June 1, 2017.
Prior to the enactment of this law, the legal age to purchase tobacco products in Orange County was 18. As of June 1, 2017, a person must show valid ID which demonstrates he or she is over 21 years of age in order to purchase any tobacco products in the County. The law applies to the sale of cigarettes, tobacco, liquid nicotine, electronic cigarettes, non-tobacco shisha, pipes, and rolling papers.
This law also requires persons operating businesses that sell any of the above-named products to post a sign in a conspicuous place advising that the minimum age requirement has been raised to 21 years of age.
This local law also specifies a penalty for any business owner caught violating the new rule. A fine between $300 and $1,000 will be imposed for a first violation, and a fine of $500 to $1,500 will be imposed for each subsequent violation.
Kelly A. Pressler is an associate and practices General Civil Litigation and Municipal Litigation. She can be reached by phone at 866-303-9595 toll free or 845-764-9565 and by email.
