West NY News

Cattaraugus County, NY - The sale of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 21 has been a topic of concern, as highlighted by recent enforcement actions. According to the NYS Public Health Law, Article 13-F, it is clearly stated that "The sale of a tobacco product to a person under the age of 21 is a violation."

During routine compliance checks conducted on specific dates in 2023, it was discovered that certain stores were in violation of this law by selling tobacco products to individuals under 21. The details of these violations were recorded as follows:

- On June 30, 2023, a store was found to have sold a tobacco product to a person under the age of 21.

- On July 7, 2023, another store was also found to have violated the law by selling a tobacco product to a minor.

In response to these incidents, authorities have emphasized the importance of adhering to state and local laws regarding tobacco sales. The NYS Department of Health website provides comprehensive information on tobacco distribution laws, while the Cattaraugus County website contains specific details on the local law that prohibits sales to individuals under 21. This local law is identified as "LOCAL LAW NUMBER 8-2016: COUNTY OF CATTARAUGUS, NEW YORK."

Efforts are ongoing to ensure compliance with these regulations and to prevent the sale of tobacco products to underage individuals. It is crucial for retailers to be aware of and uphold the laws governing tobacco sales to protect the health and well-being of young people in the community.