Democratic lawmakers in Nassau County are calling for a measure to raise the minimum age for tobacco purchases to 21.
The minimum age to purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products in Nassau is currently 19. Suffolk County has raised its tobacco-purchasing age to 21.
For Nassau Legislator Judy Jacobs, it's an issue that hits close to home. Her husband was a lifelong smoker who died of complications from tobacco use. The Woodbury Democrat was joined by fellow legislators and health officials for a news conference today where they said cutting off tobacco access for younger adults will save lives.
The proposal currently has the support of only Democrats in the county. Republicans hold the majority in the Legislature, so unless some of them sign on, such a measure would not pass.
Back in March, the Nassau Legislature's Republican Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves blocked a vote on a measure that would have raised the age to 21. Gonsalves declined to be interviewed for this story, but has said in the past that she believes the tobacco-purchasing age should be established by the state government.
Do you think raising the minimum age to buy cigarettes will curb youth smoking in Nassau County? Let us know in the Facebook comments section below.