Tobacco 19 Veto Upheld

October 7, 2008

Bob Warner (right) has been trying for three years, and after Tuesday’s Onondaga County Legislature vote, he will have to try again. The Legislators voted 11-8 to override County Executive Joanie Mahoney’s veto of the Onondaga Tobacco 19 bill, two votes short of the 13 necessary to pass. The bill, co-sponsored by Warner, R-Baldwinsville, called for a ban on tobacco sales to customers under the age of 19, with an exemption for those in the military.

Supporters of the bill said it would keep cigarettes out of high schools. “Anything we can do to prevent any number of people from beginning to smoke is worth it,” said Nancy St. Onge, a member of the New York State Department of Health's tobacco control board who addressed the legislature before the vote.

Those against the bill said tobacco would still be available to students from sources other than 18-year-olds and criticized the military exemption. “At 18, you’re either able to make the decision or you’re not,” said Legislator James Rhinehart, R-Skaneateles who voted against the override.

Mahoney is not the first to veto Onondaga Tobacco 19. Nicholas Pirro struck down a prior version early in 2007. Still, the bill’s co-sponsors, Warner and Lovie Winslow, D-Syracuse, are considering another try. “I’m going to talk to Bob to see if we want to keep banging our heads against the wall,” Winslow said. She added that she would again co-sponsor if Warner wanted to revive Tobacco 19. Warner said he was “disappointed,” but is still determined. “I’ll be back at it, you bet,” he said.