Ulster County committee sets public hearing on local law to require ID and signage for tobacco and vaping sales

The Laws, Rules and Government Services Committee of the Ulster County Legislature voted to set a public hearing on proposed Local Law No. 9 of 2026, which would amend Chapter 301 to require licensed tobacco retailers to verify a buyer's age and to post signage informing customers that ID is required.

The proposed law, submitted by the county executive at the request of the Department of Health, would add herbal cigarettes, liquid nicotine, shisha and electronic cigarettes to the county's definition of "tobacco product." The committee amended the hearing time on the resolution so the public hearing will be held Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., rather than 7:10 p.m., and then adopted the resolution as amended by voice vote.

A county official noted the change aims to close what the official described as a compliance loophole in state practice. "There's a bit of a loophole, whereas there's an age 21 to purchase tobacco products. If a retailer reasonably believes by their own claim that they thought the person was 25 or older, they no longer are required to request identification," the official said, adding the local law would "close that" by requiring ID checks for all tobacco and vaping sales.

Legislator Nolan asked to be added as a sponsor during discussion and briefly moved the resolution before withdrawing that motion to allow an amendment; the measure was later moved for adoption by Legislator Nolan and seconded by Legislator Murray. The committee recorded the adoption as unanimous.

The hearing will allow public comment and formal testimony before any local law takes effect; the committee did not take final legislative action on the ordinance at the meeting beyond scheduling the hearing and adopting the resolution that sets it.