Tobacco Policies

Current Status of Tobacco Use in our Community Leading cause of preventable death and disease Over 28,000 deaths a year in NYS Tobacco causes NYS $10.39 Billion in annual health care expenditures Schuyler County adult tobacco use is 23.3% versus NYS 15.9% Nearly one third (30.6%) of 10th grade students in Schuyler County have used cigarettes versus 17.5% nationally One in four high school students in Schuyler County have reported having ever used cigarettes. More than half of Schuyler County high school student who use tobacco products got it from a friend. NYS Dept of Health Tobacco Control Program 2013-2014 NYS Expanded Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2017 Schuyler County Communities that Care Youth Survey

Why Tobacco 21?

Discourages addiction to tobacco
Reduces tobacco use
Prevents costly tobacco related diseases
Adolescents are uniquely vulnerable to effect of nicotine addiction
95% of adult smokers start smoking before age 21
95% of people who buy cigarettes to give to minors are under age 21
Tobacco and E-Cigarette companies market to youth
Delays youth starting to use tobacco products which reduces social harm in teens and young adults.
71.9% of Schuyler County is in favor of the policy
Tobacco use is a threat to military fitness and readiness

CTFK: Increasing the legal sale age of tobacco products to 21

Public Health and Tobacco Policy Center

Who has signed letters of support for Tobacco 21?

Stayed tuned for updates ! Tobacco 21 has been passed in following NYS municipalities Albany County Cattaraugus County Chautauqua County Cortland County New York City Onondaga County Orange County Schenectady County Suffolk County Sullivan County Tompkins County Rockland County Towns of Hempstead & North Hempstead *Updated March 21, 2018