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Who cares
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Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting electronic cigarette sales to minors
Purpose
This bill would prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill adds new subdivisions 12 and 13 to § 1399-aa of the public health law to define electronic cigarettes and their cartridges which contain liquid nicotine.
Section 2 of the bill amends section 1399-cc of the public health law to prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) to minors.
Section 3 of the bill provides for the effective date.
Justification
The electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a battery operated device that emits a nicotine vapor with the help of a computer chip. In addition to nicotine delivery, this vapor also provides a flavor and physical sensation similar to that of inhaled tobacco smoke while no combustion is actually involved in its operation. In addition to tobacco and coffee, flavors such as apple, strawberry, banana and bubble gum have been reported and remind us that these products are being marketed toward young people.
In a recent newsletter sent by the Western Suffolk BOCES and the Tobacco Free Schools program, it was reported that students are bringing e-cigarettes on campus to "smoke" during the school day on school property. The newsletter reveals that e-cigarettes are available for purchase on-line and in certain kiosks and that age verification is not being required by the on-line sellers of the e-cigarette. Alarmingly, preliminary studies report that e-cigarettes contain traces of toxic substances and carcinogens according to the Food and Drug Administration. With limited research available, claims that e-cigarettes are safer than normal cigarettes are unfounded and there is little evidence that they are an effective tobacco cessation tool.
E-cigarettes should not be sold to minors and this bill would prohibit such sales and would protect our children from the dangers of smoking.
Legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
None.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.