Proposed legislation would raise the age someone could buy cigarettes and tobacco products, from 18 to 21 years old.
In Monroe County, that is getting the push from Legislator LaShay Harris, who says it’s a small step to protect our young people.
She says the issue also hits close to home.
"There are many people in my family that have been smoking since they were in their teens. 13, 14, years old and many of them have suffered long disease, lung damage, cancer because of it."
Harris says this would protect our young people from starting to smoke earlier.
"It’s one of those things where, I think if we can do something publically here, together, collectively to reduce the numbers of smoking and those pollutants getting in our bodies, voluntarily as well as in voluntarily, it would be good for the greater public."
This specific legislation would not change the pricing, just the age minimum to buy tobacco.
Harris also said as a paramedic she has seen firsthand how tobacco and cigarettes effect the body in harmful ways, and has always been a strong advocate for health related issues.
A Monroe County spokesperson sent WXXI News this statement regarding the proposal:
“The County Executive believes the dangers of smoking are clear and recommends that anyone, at any age, should not smoke. However, concerns do exist regarding the patchwork implementation and enforcement of this proposal on a county by county basis, as opposed to a uniform, blanket approach at the state level. We are confident the proposal will receive a full vetting by the County Legislature through the normal legislative process.”