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Jessie Myler, back left, Haley Dunbar, back right, Mallory Rinckey, front left, and Dr. Amy Thompson, front right, at the College of Health and Human Services at The University of Toledo on January 14, 2016. The group are spearheading a movement in Lucas County to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21.
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Maumee tables tobacco-code change

THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Maumee tables tobacco-code change

Raising legal age ignites business opposition

Maumee City Council was set to vote on legislation for changing the legal age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21 tonight before the code committee tabled it after hearing opposition.

Committee chairman Thomas Wagener motioned Friday that the issue stays in committee for at least another meeting before a recommendation goes to council.

Mayor Rich Carr proposed the age change last month. The measure was supported by Amy Thompson, a University of Toledo public health professor, who has urged Maumee and other communities to do likewise.

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But at least one local business is not in favor of the change

“I think the mayor is overreaching with this,” said John Swemba, owner of the Cigar Affair. “[18-20 year olds] are allowed to get married, vote — and I hope they do vote in Maumee after this — go to war, college. They have so many rights. Why are we picking on this group?”

Mr. Swemba’s patrons and workers have begun a petition drive and collected 60 signatures to deliver to council members at Friday’s meeting.

A handful of representatives from gas stations and convenience stores joined the Cigar Affair in opposing the legislation. Owners and employees said it would push customers to drive outside of Maumee to get gas and shop.

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The ordinance as it is proposed would limit the purchase, possession, and sale of tobacco and electronic cigarettes to people who are 21 and older. Mr. Carr said, however, the city has no plans to charge young people with illegally possessing tobacco, only for illegally buying it.

“Stats show when you raise it to 21 you reduce the children under 18 smoking by 50 percent,” Mr. Carr said. “Those under 18 are getting cigarettes from those of the ages 18-21.”

The council appears to be split on the topic.

The three councilmen at the code committee wanted to see more of the University of Toledo health professors statistics. One item in question was that it only lowers retails sales by 2 percent.

Councilman Dave Kissinger said he believes government should be limited and shouldn’t jump at this legislation. Council President Brent Buehrer during last month’s meeting said he supports it.

Another code committee meeting will be ordered in the coming weeks to again discuss the issue, then give city council a recommendation.

“They’ll go to my competitors,” Mr. Swemba said about those between the ages of 18 and 21. “It won’t be devastating at first since we’re a premiere cigar place. But they’ll go to my competitors in other towns, and after they’re 21 they’ll stick to them. I’ll lose customers for life, and I still won’t have them when they’re 30.”

Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com, 419-356-8786, or on Twitter at @mthompson25.

First Published March 7, 2016, 5:00 a.m.

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Jessie Myler, back left, Haley Dunbar, back right, Mallory Rinckey, front left, and Dr. Amy Thompson, front right, at the College of Health and Human Services at The University of Toledo on January 14, 2016. The group are spearheading a movement in Lucas County to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21.  (THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT)  Buy Image
THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT
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