By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg City Council unanimously opposed a resolution supporting St. Lawrence County’s bill that would raise the smoking age to 21.

St. Lawrence County legislators will hold a public hearing June 5 regarding a tobacco law that would restrict sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes to anyone under 21 years of age. The law does not include penalties for smokers, nor would it restrict those under 21 from selling the products.

The proposal was brought forward by legislator John Burke, R-Norfolk, but has faced opposition from County Chair Kevin Acres, R-Madrid, who says the proposed law is “government overreach.”

“I don’t support this in the least,” Deputy Mayor Morley. “You can send a man to war at 18-years-old and he can’t buy a damn cigarette?”

Morley said the government shouldn’t interfere with a person’s right to choose.

Councilor Jennifer Stevenson said she wouldn’t support the measure either, but offered far different reasoning. Stevenson said the law has no teeth and said it would have little impact as written. She said without punitive measures included, “It has no meat to it.”

That sentiment was shared by councilor David Price, who said he would support the measure if it were a state law with teeth. Price said that smoking plays a major role in healthcare costs and for that reason he thinks the government should play a role in controlling them. But, he said the proposal by the county would have little impact on the larger problem.

Councilor Daniel Skamperle said he wouldn’t not support the law, even if it was statewide.

He said that “sometimes government gets a little too big,” and this is one of those times.

Councilor Brian Mitchell pointed out that St. Lawrence County has four colleges where people come from around the state and country. He said it seems odd to bar smokers from purchasing cigarettes when they come here, when they can buy them at home.

Mayor Wayne Ashley said he’d support a statewide law, but couldn’t get behind this age restriction when it only applies to St. Lawrence County. He said teens would circumvent the law and purchase cigarettes outside the county.

The controversial proposal is being trumpeted by Seaway Valley Prevention Council, which was originally established with the mission to inform the public about the disease of alcoholism and substance abuse and to promote early treatment and rehabilitation of persons with drinking problems and substance abuse problems, according to the group's website.