County lawmakers pass increase in tobacco purchase age

Chautauqua County lawmakers have approved a local law that would raise the tobacco purchase age in the County from 18 to 21.  The proposed legislation, which includes e-cigarettes, was approved by a 13-6 vote.  County Executive Vince Horrigan says he's pleased with the vote, saying it demonstrated leadership on the part of the County Legislature. He intends to sign the legislation into law, but must first hold a public hearing...

 

Horrigan-Backs local law

 

Chautauqua County will become the first in the upstate region to approve the increase to 21.  The County's Public Health Director Christine Schuyler says its an important move in addressing the addiction problem in the county...

 

Schuyler-Will help address an addiction problem

 

Fredonia Republican Robert Scudder proposed an amendment that would have removed e-cigarettes from the local law,but the amendment failed.  Scudder joined Robert Bankoski, Kevin Muldowney, Terry Niebel, Lisa Vanstrom and David Wilfong in voting against the measure.

 

 

Former County Legislator Nancy Bargar among the speakers who addressed the Legislature