Look Who it Was Random video

Cincinnati may raise tobacco sale age to 21

89 views · Published 18 December 2018 · 2:36 · Indexed 10 October 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A proposed ordinance dubbed "Tobacco 21" would raise the age to sell tobacco products to customers in the city of Cincinnati to 21 from 18.

Tobacco 21 passed out of City Council's Budget and Finance Committee Monday. Rafer Brimelow, 26, has been smoking since he was 14 and believes the ordinance is a good idea.

"I'd like to quit. It's very addicting. It's very hard to get over," Brimelow said.

Health professionals want to keep kids from starting smoking and vaping in the first place. Mike Moroski is a former smoker. He's also a Cincinnati school board member and an employee of Cradle Cincinnati. He supports the Tobacco 21 legislation.

"It's a health issue. When kids aren't healthy, they can't learn," Moroski said. "There is a direct causation from smoking and pre-term birth. And pre-term birth is the leading cause of infant death."

Moroski says businesses would pay $500 for a license to sell tobacco products. The health department, which supports Tobacco 21, would enforce the ordinance.

"It will be on-site visits. Nineteen and 20-year-olds who are paid -- not out of public dollars -- to go in and attempt to buy cigarettes to keep track of who's actually carding," Moroski said.

But City Council member Jeff Pastor, who voted to pass Tobacco 21 out of committee, said Tuesday he's having second thoughts.

"My political inclination is all about freedom -- freedom to choose, regardless if I like the choice or not," Pastor said.

Pastor believes an 18-year-old who can vote or serve in the military should be able to buy cigarettes.

"For us to serve as Big Brother and say this is what we're going to do and this is what is best, that's a challenge for me. Even though my grandmother died from secondhand smoke," Pastor said.

Council member David Mann opposes Tobacco 21. He told Local 12 News Tuesday that he was concerned about the cost of enforcing the ordinance and believes it could be seen as an overreach.

"I hate smoking, but I don’t think it’s fair to anyone who’s reached the age of majority," Mann said.

But Moroski said he thinks the health risks are too great to not do something.

"I feel like if you have a smart piece of legislation that doesn't cost the taxpayers anything that can make healthier families and kids and babies, you should give it a shot," Moroski said.

Interact for Health would provide $200,000 to the city in funding for the ordinance if it passes. It was expected to be on the City Council agenda Wednesday, but it was not clear Tuesday whether Mayor John Cranley would place Tobacco 21 on the agenda.

More from this channel