GOSHEN – The Health and Mental Committee of the Orange County Legislature, Tuesday, voted unanimously to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.
Committee Chairman Michael Anagnostakis believes it is the right thing to do.
“Ninety percent of children get hooked on cigarettes before the age of 16,” Anagnostakis said. “The 15-year-olds and 16-year-olds get their cigarettes from 18-year-olds. You don’t find 21-year-olds hanging out with 14- and 15-year-olds so it is going to have a dramatic impact.”
The full county legislature must give its stamp of approval on the proposal before people under 21 would be prohibited from purchasing any tobacco products.
