By:Jason Scheer
On Dec. 7, the legislature unanimously approved the measure, dubbed "Tobacco 19." However, it will not become law until and unless it is endorsed by Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy.
Counterparts in Nassau County have been working on a similar initiative since October. Legislators Jeffrey Toback (D-Oceanside) and Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove).
The thinking behind the proposed legislation is that by raising the age, it will be harder to get cigarettes into high schools where most seniors are not older than 18.
Said Legislator Yatauro in a statement, "As a vast majority of high school students are not 19, there should be no students "legitimately" smoking on school or near school grounds."
However, efforts to raise the age requirements are sill in their infant stages, according to Nassau County Legislator Joe Scannell (D-Baldwin).
He explained that the issue is not accepted by an overwhelming majority among the legislators in his party. He added that traditionally, in order for bills to get "clocked in," and brought before the legislature, there must be clear support for a bill.
He said that the reason lawmakers disagree with the proposed legislation is because it's unfair to those that are 18. Scannell himself is not in favor of the change.
"If you ask a young man or woman to go overseas and put their lives on the line at 18, I don't think you should be able to take that right [to smoke] away from them," he said. Levy gave the same reasoning for not signing the bill into law in Suffolk County.
He added that while Tobacco 19 has its merits, the potential for saving lives being one of them, no statistics have been brought forward that clearly indicate the one-year change will make a difference. That makes it harder to bring such a proposal before
the full legislature.
sub: The kids don't like it...
Baldwin High School students expressed cynicism about the proposed legislation. Out of twelve students who spoke with The Herald, each one agreed that those who wish to smoke will find a way to do so, no matter what the law said.
Sarah Beller, a junior and a self proclaimed "straightedge," meaning she doesn't drink or smoke, said that younger students looking to buy cigarettes simply go to their older friends or siblings to get their hands on tobacco products. Kids, she said, will not be dissuaded from taking similar action by the proposed legislation.
"They'll still find a way to get what they want," she said.
Two high school students who were smoking outside the fence of the high school, near grand avenue, expressed similar sentiments.
Said one girl, who claims to get her cigarettes from her mother, "It's stupid. everyone would still find a way to smoke. It wouldn't even make a difference."
"No, it's not going to make a difference," said another student. "No matter what, if you want cigarettes, you can go and buy cigarettes."
An owner of a local smoke shop agreed. He said that while he cards everyone attempting to buy cigarettes, ultimately those people could give it to minors and there would be nothing to stop them.
"If kids want cigarettes, they'll get cigarettes," he said.
