Hempstead Town Raises Smoking Age To 21

Following through on a proposal first put forward earlier this month, the Hempstead Town Board voted Tuesday to raise the age to buy cigarettes and other tobacco products to 21.

The move brings the town in line with other municipalities in the area that have raised the age to purchase tobacco, including the Town of North Hempstead, Suffolk County and New York City. The law raises the age to buy tobacco products in the Town of Hempstead from 18 to 21.

"There is clear cut evidence that raising the age for tobacco sales will slash the smoking rate significantly and reduce the number of smoking-related deaths," Santino said earlier this month when announcing the legislation. "I am committed to protecting young people, and passing legislation that raises the age for tobacco sales will help achieve that goal."

According to Newsday, the Town Board voted unanimously on the issue. Democrats in the Nassau County Legislature have put forward a similar measure, Newsday says.

The new law applies to all tobacco products sold in the Town of Hempstead, as well as electronic cigarettes and smoking paraphernalia like rolling paper. Businesses have to clearly post signage saying that selling tobacco to people under 21 is prohibited by law. Businesses that break the law could be fined up to $1,500 and potentially lose their license to sell tobacco products.

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