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Ulster County committee adopts local law requiring age verification and signage for tobacco and vaping sales
Summary
The committee unanimously approved proposed Local Law No. 9 of 2026 to require licensed tobacco retailers to verify customers' ages and post signage; the law expands the county code definition of tobacco products to include herbal cigarettes, nicotine liquids and electronic cigarettes.
Ulster County's Rules, Laws and Government Services Committee on July 9 adopted proposed Local Law No. 9 of 2026, which amends the county code to require licensed tobacco retailers to sell tobacco and vaping products only to customers who provide proper age verification and to post signage informing customers of that requirement.
The local law amends Chapter 301, Article 2 of the Ulster County code, adding new definitions that expressly include herbal cigarettes, liquid nicotine products and electronic cigarettes as tobacco products. The proposal also adds the county public health director to provisions in the chapter.
Legislator Nolan moved adoption; Legislator Murray seconded. Committee members noted a public hearing had been held during the June legislative session and that no speakers had appeared. The resolution passed by unanimous voice vote.
The change places verification and signage requirements on licensed tobacco retailers in Ulster County; enforcement mechanisms, penalties and implementation timelines will be governed by the county code and any implementing regulations established by county staff.
Next steps: the law will be codified in the county code and enforcement details will be administered by the public health director as provided by the amended sections.
