In an unprecedented decision involving the controversial stimulant ephedra, Suffolk County Wednesday banned the sale of all dietary supplements containing the substance. Joined by several residents with family members who had died while taking ephedra products, County Executive Robert Gaffney signed the bill into law. The move came less than a week after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that supplements containing ephedra might soon be required to carry warning labels alerting consumers to the stimulant's link to heart attacks, strokes and death.

Ephedra has been a hot topic among health regulators in recent weeks as many are asking for the stimulant's ban nationwide after it was linked to the death of Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Steve Bechler. The National Football League, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the International Olympic Committee already ban the substance. Major league baseball recently banned players with minor league contracts from using ephedra.