Schenectady

Schenectady County appears poised to become the latest county in the Capital Region to raise the legal age to buy tobacco products to 21 years old, according to Majority Leader Gary Hughes.

He said the county periodically conducts sting operations by sending teens into stores to try to buy tobacco to see if the employees are complying with the law to check identification to ensure they are not selling to minors.

"The onus is on the seller to know the age," added Hughes, a Democrat.

Under the proposal, which the county lawmakers will vote on Tuesday night, the age to buy cigarettes, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes and vaporizer would increase from 18 to 21. Anyone in violation of the law would be subject to a fine.

He said the hope from anti-smoking advocates, including the lung association and cancer society, is to "create a situation in which enough counties have raised the age at their level so they can go to the state" to push for a statewide law.

He said that those same groups also have data to show the health benefits of avoiding tobacco.

Legislator Karen Johnson, chair of the county's health committee, who introduced the measure earlier this year, has said it's worked in other places to reduce smoking.

Legislator Brian McGarry has expressed concern at the proposed age increase, arguing that it tramples on people's individual liberties.

Hughes said that the majority of the county lawmakers seem to be supportive of the legislation.

"There are Conservatives, Republicans and some Democrats who all have reservations but I think there are enough people in support of it that it appears to me there are sufficient votes for it to pass, but it certainly won't be unanimous," he said.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the county office building, 620 State St.

Albany County has had a similar law since May.

pnelson@timesunion.com • 518-454-5347 • @apaulnelson