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County Executive George Latimer vetoed the ban on Monday, Dec. 12, according to a letter sent to the county's Board of Legislators.
The ban had been passed by the Board on Monday, Nov. 28. However, Latimer cited concerns from numerous groups that the ban would negatively impact communities.
"The bill, which has stronger support in some quarters of our County, has been vigorously opposed by a significant number of local African-American groups and leaders; Middle Eastern and Arab-American leaders; representatives of union organizations, all who assert their communities would be negatively impacted by banning these products," Latimer said in the letter.
Because of these "cultural objections," Latimer said he would not be able to support the ban despite calling it a "sincere effort," and said that more review of the impacts of such a ban would be needed.
Instead of the ban, Latimer instead announced a "Westchester Tobacco Free Program" on Tuesday, Dec. 13 that is meant to lower the smoking rate in the county through a $3 million public education campaign. The campaign will focus on highlighting the dangers of tobacco usage, helping smokers to quit smoking, and supporting local community efforts to reduce smoking, according to Latimer's announcement.
Additionally, the program will support improved enforcement of the county's existing ban on the sale of tobacco products to people under the age of 21, Latimer said.
In response to Latimer's veto, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a group in support of the ban, expressed disappointment.
"We are deeply disappointed by Westchester County Executive Latimer’s decision to veto vital legislation to end the sale of flavored tobacco products in Westchester County. With this veto, County Executive Latimer missed a tremendous opportunity to take an important step towards protecting the health and safety of young people and communities of color in New York," said Kevin O’Flaherty, the Director of Advocacy for the group's northeast region.
The Board of Legislators can still override the veto if they can get at least two-thirds of their members to vote in support of the ban.
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