DiCarlo: “This is right for
our youth”
CARMEL – Putnam County Legislator Barbara Scuccimarra is passionate when it comes to banning young people from purchasing tobacco. The Garrison lawmaker’s Health, Educational and Environmental Committee Tuesday evening approved the Tobacco 21 Act by a 3-0 vote and passed the measure along to the full legislature which will vote on the legislation at its September meeting.
For more than 90 minutes Scuccimarra introduced a number of guests during the meeting including Tracey Walsh of the American Cancer Society, Mahopac Superintendent of Schools Anthony DiCarlo, Commissioner of Social Services and Mental Health Mike Piazza, Deputy Commissioner Joseph DeMarzo, Commissioner of Health Dr. Michael Nesheiwat, Maureen Kenny of POW’R Against Tobacco, Kristin McConnell of the Prevention Council of Putnam, Southeast Councilwoman Lynn Eckhardt, Susan Salamone of Drug Crisis in our Backyard, Val Nierman, Director of Health in the Mahopac District and Brewster High School senior Erin Renzi who all encouraged the lawmakers to adopt the legislation.
Walsh called Tobacco 21 “not an example of regulation. It is a fiscally conservative and responsible measure that will help to reduce the tobacco related $10.4 billion in related health care costs.”
“Not everyone who smokes or uses tobacco products becomes an addict but 84 percent of all addicts use tobacco products,” DeMarzo said. “This is an absolute insane number. This legislation is all about limiting access for young people.”
DiCarlo said the proposed legislation will allow young people to live “long and healthy lives. This is right for our youth. Lungs should breathe in air and not smoke. We have been reactive in the past. Now it is time to become proactive by collectively putting our heads together and decide what is right for our young people.”
Legislator Carl Albano, who attended the meeting along with Chairman Joseph Castellano and committee members Bill Gouldman and Amy Sayegh told his colleagues that “Guys, this is not rocket science. It makes sense because this is a common sense approach.”
Sayegh chimed in, “We must all be on the same page and protect our kids.”
McConnell noted the issue of teenage smoking and vaping has reached epidemic proportions. A study taken in May of high school juniors countywide revealed that the number of students vaping in Putnam County was double the national average with 12 percent reporting to have ‘vaped’ in the past 30 days.
Dr. Nesheiwat said smoking and vaping are not safe. “If we can save a dozen people–a single person–by approving this legislation, this legislative body is compelled to act.”
Scuccimarra wants Putnam to increase the minimum age of sale of all tobacco products including electronic cigarettes to 21 with strong retailer compliance and active enforcement as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce youth initiation.
“America has unfortunately not won the war on smoking and tobacco. Smoking is a risk factor for numerous cancers. By the end of 2018, nearly 111,000 New Yorkers will learn they have cancer and sadly more than 35,000 of these individuals will lose the battle. Smoking increases the risk for lung cancer, the state’s number one cancer killer.”
Tobacco 21 laws have been implemented in counties from western New York to eastern Long Island. Putnam’s neighbors in Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties have all enacted such legislation.
