Local Law Prohibiting the Sale of Tobacco Products

LOCAL LAW PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES

A LOCAL LAW PROHIBITING THE SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS OR HERBAL CIGARETTES, ROLLING PAPERS OR PIPES TO ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 19
JANUARY 4, 2007-10:30 A.M.

IN ATTENDANCE: County Executive Nicholas Pirro, County Legislators Warner, Rapp, Rhinehart, DiBlasi, Sweetland.
ALSO: Mrs. Stanczyk, Ms. Testut, Mrs. Tormey, Ms. Gunnip

Pursuant to Article 3, Section 20 of the Municipal Home Rule Law, County Executive Nicholas J. Pirro held a public hearing on the above date in the Legislative Chambers. The purpose of the hearing was to consider Local Law No._ _ 2006, “A LOCAL LAW PROHIBITING THE SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS OR HERBAL CIGARETTES, ROLLING PAPERS OR PIPES TO ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 19”.

County Executive Pirro called the hearing to order at 10:30 a.m.
The Clerk read the official notice of public hearing and stated that proof of publication in the Syracuse Post

Standard and affidavits of posting were on file in the Office of the Clerk.
County Executive Nicholas J. Pirro noted that two letters were asked to be part of the record (Kimberly Reedy,

Victoria H. Morell). He noted that the letters are on file with the Clerk (attached).

County Executive Pirro asked for any speakers wishing to be heard

MIKE PARZYCH: (statement attached) He added that keeping our young people here is important; Fort Drum is the biggest source of young people coming through our area. There is a pool of young, trained, disciplined people, things should be done to attract them to stay here – i.e. Zoo and State Fair passes.

NANCY ST. ONGE, TOBACCO FREE ONONDAGA COUNTY: (statement attached)

GORDON C. LANE, WA-CNY 103: Is against the law. He thinks the Co Legislature has stepped over the line on this one as far as declaring who is or isn’t and adult. He referred to active military reserves, people that have service ID cards, those that are serving their county – if they can go to Iraq and have their lungs blown out and come home and want to smoke or have a glass of beer, then they should be able to make that decision on their own. These people go over there when they are 18 years old. He said it is wrong for a guy to go through a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan, especially the 101h Mountain Division, and can’t come home and buy cigarettes. There is too much legislating of morality. He feels someone has to stand up for our people in the military. They can give their life, be away from family and loved ones, go through tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, but then to not be able to buy a pack of cigarettes is crazy. He said common sense should prevail. He was at Camp Drum 6 weeks ago; and he told people about this legislation in Onondaga County. The Veterans in this community and country are sick of people telling them what is good for them. We have to be able to make certain decisions on our own. At 18 a person in the military should be able to buy a pack of cigarettes. He asked the County Executive to veto the legislation and send it back to the legislature and at least have the decency to allow a citizen of the US, person of the military to be able to do something that every other adult can do beyond the age of 18. Maybe the next level is to go to the State of New York regarding driving privileges and age to legally drink.