Nassau County (NY) won’t be raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 19 to 21, as Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow) has said that she will not call a vote on the matter. Legis. Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) introduced the bill to raise the purchasing age in March, along with two other bills, one that ban smoking in county parks and within 20 feet of county buildings, as well as banning smoking in vehicles where minors are present. Gonsalves told multiple media outlets that state legislators in Albany should deal with the issue to ensure “statewide uniformity.” The announcement creates what Jacobs described as the “go-to locale for young smokers,” as neighboring Suffolk County passed a bill that raises the minimum purchase age for tobacco products to 21 as of Jan. 1, 2015. New York City will officially raise the age to purchase tobacco products within city limits on May 19.
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