New York Bans Sale of Flavored E-cigarettes, the First State in the U.S. to Do So

NEW YORK — New York became the first state to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes Tuesday, a move that comes as federal health officials investigate a mysterious surge of severe breathing illnesses linked to vaping. The vote by the state Public Health and Health Planning Council means the ban, which covers all flavored cigarettes and other vaping products except for menthol and tobacco flavors, goes into effect immediately. Retailers will have two weeks to remove merchandise from store shelves. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, had proposed the emergency ban Sunday , citing surging use among young people. According to data from the state health department, nearly 40% of high school seniors and 27% of high school students overall in the state use e-cigarettes. Use among high-school students went from 10.5% in 2014 to 27.4% in 2018. Cuomo pointed to vaping flavors like bubblegum and cotton candy that he said seemed aimed at young people. “We don’t really know the health consequences of these devices,” he said on public radio Monday. Vape shop owners say they’re considering a legal challenge to the new regulation, which they say should have gone before lawmakers for hearings, debate and a vote. Mike Kruger owns two vape shops in the Albany region and said the ban could force hundreds of businesses like his to close. He said smokers looking to quit will have fewer options under the ban. As for the breathing illnesses, Kruger said he believes they are...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized New York onetime Source Type: news