The Onondaga County Legislature was two votes short of overriding the County Executive’s veto of Tobacco 19 this afternoon. The 11-8 outcome was an example of history repeating itself as similar legislation was vetoed by the then-County Executive Nicholas Pirro in January, 2007, after legislators had first approved it.
“I think smoking is a terrible, terrible thing,” said David M. Stott, D-Liverpool. “I honestly don’t know why this hasn’t been approved.”
Pirro first vetoed the proposal prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 19 primarily because there was no military exemption.
Tobacco 19 was then reworked to exclude 18 year-olds in the military.
Mahoney vetoed the revised legislation last month saying it would be ineffective. Robert
Warner, R-Baldwinsville, proposed reconsideration today.“Twenty percent of all 18 year-olds are in high school,” Warner said. “They can sell and distribute cigarettes to 17, 16 and 15 year-olds and, in turn, those young kids can become addicted.”
In a speech to legislators, Warner stressed that the costly health effects of Onondaga County smokers contributed significantly to the $560 million expense of Medicaid in the annual budget.
“This law could help prevent smoking addiction at such an early age - it would save heavy tax costs and maybe even some lives,” Warner said.
James Rhinehart, R-Skaneateles, is one of eight Republicans who voted against the override.
“The military exemption is one the stupidest things I’ve heard in the last five years,” he said.
Warner remains optimistic that with some tweaking - the bill can eventually get passed.
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