Close but no Cigar

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

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.

Tobacco 19 no go

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

The legal smoking age in Onondaga County was two votes away from being raised to 19 in a vote during the county legislature meeting this afternoon. All eight Democrats and three Republicans voted to override County Executive Joanie Mahoney’s veto of Tobacco 19, but it takes a two-thirds majority— out of 19 votes—to override and the legislature has never done that.

Tobacco 19 would have prohibited the sale of tobacco products or herbal cigarettes, rolling papers or pipes to anyone under the age of 19, except for those serving in the United States military.

“This law is simple,” said co-sponsor Bob Warner, R-Baldwinsville, before the meeting. “It costs nothing. It’s real easy. … young kids get addicted real quick.” Warner said he’ll try again in the future.

While the law would only raise the smoking age by one year, the goal would be to eliminate high school students from having access to tobacco and to prevent teenagers from starting to smoke earlier in life.

“It won’t make a major dent in [the number of people who smoke], but any life we save is worth it,” said Nancy St. Onge, the Tobacco Policy Coordinator for OCM BOCES, who spoke to the legislators before the vote.

Marty Masterpole, D-Syracuse, said the vote could have been influenced by campaign donors. The Onondaga County Republican Committee received a $10,000 donation from tobacco giant Phillip Morris in late 2007, Masterpole said.

“They won’t come out and say it, but that’s a major reason why [they voted like they did],” Masterpole said.

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.