MINEOLA, NY(TIP): The Nassau County Legislature on May 23 approved the measure unanimously, which requires buyers of products such as “cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, chewing tobacco, rolling papers, herbal cigarettes, liquid nicotine and smoking paraphernalia” to be over age 21.

The action follows years of advocacy by Minority legislators, who have repeatedly demanded a vote on the measure in recent years. This legislation was first proposed by the late Legislator Judy Jacobs and was championed by Legislator Drucker, who succeeded her in office.

“As the successor to Judy Jacobs, who served the residents of Nassau County with honor and distinction for so many years, I am extremely proud to witness this historic day in Nassau County,” Drucker said. “Raising the minimum age for the purchase of tobacco products to 21 will save lives by making it harder for teenagers to pick up a dangerous habit that results in a lifetime of poor health, addiction, inordinate expense, and a loss of the ability to enjoy life to its fullest.”