Tobacco 19 fails to pass in Onondaga County Legislature

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

By a vote of 11 to 8, the Tobacco 19 legislation fell short of passing this afternoon at the Onondaga County Legislature. County legislators needed 13 votes to override County Executive Joanie Mahoney’s veto.

The Tobacco 19 legislation would raise the legal age to purchase cigarettes from 18 to 19.

Supporters say it would keep high school seniors from buying cigarettes and selling them to underclassmen.

Co-Sponsor Robert Warner, R-Baldwinsville, favors the Tobacco 19 legislation because he says it will save taxpayers money.

Medicaid costs $560 million dollars a year in Onondaga County and eleven million dollars of that is spent on smoking related illness alone, Warner said.  “The numbers are out there.”

Philip Morris, the largest tobacco company in the United States, gave a $10,000 contribution to the Republican Committee.

This is a main reason why eight Republicans voted against the legislation this afternoon said Martin Masterpole, D-Syracuse.

“They won’t come out and say it but that’s a major reason why,” Masterpole said. 

Warner wants the committee to return the money. Masterpole said that Warner was the only member of the committee to return his share.

Even though the legislation did not pass today, Warner has hope for it to pass in the future.

 “Financial impact almost dictates this is the way its gonna go,” Warner said. “We will be back. We live to fight another day.”