LOCAL LAW NO. P FOR 2024
A LOCAL LAW OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK AMENDING CHAPTER 242 OF THE ALBANY COUNTY CODE TO PROVIDE A LOCAL LICENSING SYSTEM FOR TOBACCO AND RELATED PRODUCTS
Introduced: 9/9/24
By: Cunningham, Willingham, McLean Lane, McLaughlin, Miller
BE IT ENACTED by the Legislature of the County of Albany as follows:
SECTION I. Article Creation.
Chapter 242, Article VI, Tobacco Retail Licensing, is hereby created
SECTION II. Title
This law shall be known as the "Quit Using Inhalants & Tobacco (QUIT Act).
SECTION III. ? 242-32 Legislative Intent and Purpose
In accordance with New York State Public Health Law ? 1399-ii, the County of Albany intends to limit the concentration of smoke shops and tobacco retailers within the County. The regulations herein are intended to further the goals of New York State's tobacco use prevention and control program, due to the known adverse impacts of tobacco and nicotine use. In furtherance of the state's goals, the County finds that:
a. Smoke shop and tobacco retailer density is associated with higher rates of tobacco use in both youth and adult populations; and
b. Adolescent brains are vulnerable to the effects of nicotine and to nicotine dependency; and
c. Tobacco use leads to preventable death and disease in New York State; and
d. The County of Albany has a substantial interest in reducing the number of individuals of all ages who use cigarettes and other tobacco products, and a particular interest in protecting adolescents from tobacco dependence and the illnesses and premature death associated with tobacco use, and
e. The restriction of increasing smoke shop and tobacco retailer density will reduce the availability of nicotine products to residents, and in particular young residents, thus reducing risk to the public's health, safety, and wellbeing.
SECTION IV. ? 242-33 Authority
This article is enacted by the Albany County Legislature pursuant to its authority to adopt local laws under the New York State C...
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