This article was written by Matthew Hampton.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, just weeks away from leaving office, has struck what will likely be his final blow against cigarettes in New York City.
On Tuesday, Bloomberg signed the City Council's ban on cigarette sales to residents under 21 years of age. The law will go into effect in six months.
It is still legal for anyone over the age of 18 to possess cigarettes, but store owners risk losing their license to sell if they are caught offering up smokes to 18 through 20-year-olds three times during a three year period.
A joint statement from the offices of Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Councilman James Gennaro, who helped craft the legislation, said it would curb the development of smoking habits in early years for local teens. The new law is partially aimed at curbing the ability of older high school students to buy cigarettes for their younger peers.
"This legislation marks a major step forward in reducing youth smoking rates with the potential to spare thousands of New Yorkers from a lifetime of nicotine addiction and health problems," the statement read. "Along with the passage and signing of legislation to enhance sensible tobacco enforcement, the City Council and the Administration have once again taken initiative to drive down the prevalence of tobacco use among young people from already historic lows."
What do you think of the new law? Is Bloomberg overreaching again? Or is this a healthy step to prevent teens from developing bad habits early? Let us know in the comments.
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