The Nassau County Legislature unanimously approved a bill on December 13 that will deny minors easy access to cigarettes in stores, and prohibit merchants from displaying cigarette advertisements near children's products. The bill was originally proposed by local legislator Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) in December 1998, but only recently did the measure receive the support of Republicans.

Calling it a "farewell present" from the Republican majority, which will become the minority party in early January, Jacobs said that she's elated to witness her "Tobacco Access Bill" finally come to fruition. "It took a little bit too long," Jacobs insisted.

County Executive Thomas Gulotta still must sign the bill into law, which should happen no later than mid-January. The law will go into effect 90 days after Gulotta signs the document.

The legislation requires Nassau County store owners to display their tobacco products under lock and key behind a counter, making them accessible only to store employees.

Although stores are already prohibited by law from selling tobacco products to minors, children still manage to get them - sometimes through shoplifting when a store leaves cigarettes within reach. According to Jacobs, it's all part of the tobacco companies' strategy. "Tobacco companies don't even mind if a child pulls cigarettes off the counter and runs out, because they know that's how they become addicted," she said.

Another important provision in the law - one that the Republicans tried to eliminate when they drafted their own version of Jacobs' legislation earlier this year - regulates point-of-sale advertising.

Store owners will no longer be allowed to place cigarette ads near items that appeal to children such as candy, toys and trading cards. "Anything that would attract a child should not be anywhere near a tobacco product that can kill a child," Jacobs asserted.

"I know this law will go a long way in making sure that selling tobacco products to young people is not as easy as buying a pack of gum," said Jacobs. "When cigarettes and candy are displayed in close proximity to each other, I believe we are sending children a message that the two items are interchangeable. This new measure will correct that misconception and help save the lives of children."

Patricia Bishop-Kelly, director of advocacy for the American Cancer Society, endorsed the legislation.

The county's Health Department will be responsible for enforcing the legislation. Employees from the department will perform occasional spot checks in stores.

The penalties for violation of any part of the law will be punishable by a fine not exceeding $250. Fines that are collected will go to fund anti-smoking education efforts.