By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON -- St. Lawrence County will continue to allow the sale of tobacco products to people age 18 and up following a 11-4 vote Monday.

A proposal voted down Monday would have restricted sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes to anyone under 21 years of age. The law would not have included penalties for smokers, nor would it restrict those under 21 from selling the products.

The resolution 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.”

The controversial law led to heated debates and comments from the public over the past few months.

Voting in favor of the law were legislators Burke, Daniel Fay, D-Canton; Chad Colbert, R-Potsdam; and Gregory Paquin, D-Massena.

The law would have allowed the director of public health to recommend a penalty minimum of $300, but not to exceed $1,000 for the first offense of selling tobacco to someone under age 21.

Second offenses would have seen an increase in the oenalty to a range of $500 to $1,500.