What's happening
This bill prohibits tobacco vending machines within 350 feet of schools, churches, synagogues, or other places of worship in New York.
Why it matters
Targets youth and vulnerable populations. By banning tobacco vending machines within 350 feet of schools and places of worship, the bill aims to reduce the exposure and accessibility of tobacco products to minors, who are especially at risk for starting tobacco use.
Limits indirect tobacco marketing. The restriction helps prevent tobacco companies from using vending machines as a subtle form of advertising in areas where young people and families frequently gather, potentially lowering the chance of normalizing tobacco use in these environments.
Extends protections to diverse communities. Including not only schools but also churches, synagogues, and other places of worship recognizes the central role these institutions play in many communities and extends public health protections beyond just educational settings.
Potentially impacts vending business operations. Businesses relying on tobacco vending machines may need to relocate them or change their business practices, which could lead to operational adjustments, especially in areas densely populated with schools and religious institutions.
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Who cares
Tobacco vending machine operators
The bill would prohibit machines dispensing tobacco products, herbal cigarettes or electronic cigarettes within 350 feet of buildings occupied exclusively as schools or places of worship.
Bars, private clubs and tobacco businesses
These establishments would face the new distance restriction even where existing law otherwise permits their vending machines.
Schools, churches, synagogues and other places of worship
Buildings occupied exclusively for these uses would become the reference points for the 350-foot restriction.
Headline styles
Ban Tobacco Machines Near Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–2
- Ordered to third reading cal.1705
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2678
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 17, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the placement of tobacco vending machines near schools, churches, synagogues or other places of worship
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1399-dd of the public health law, as amended by chapter 448 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as follows:
§ 1399-dd. Sale of tobacco products, herbal cigarettes or electronic cigarettes in vending machines. No person, firm, partnership, company or corporation shall operate a vending machine which dispenses tobacco products, herbal cigarettes or electronic cigarettes unless such machine is located: (a) in a bar as defined in subdivision one of section thirteen hundred ninety-nine-n of this chapter, or the bar area of a food service establishment with a valid, on-premises full liquor license; (b) in a private club; (c) in a tobacco business as defined in subdivision eight of section thirteen hundred ninety-nine-aa of this article; or (d) in a place of employment which has an insignificant portion of its regular workforce comprised of people under the age of eighteen years and only in such locations that are not accessible to the general public; provided, however, that in such locations the vending machine is located in plain view and under the direct supervision and control of the person in charge of the location or his or her designated agent or employee; provided, further, however, that no such vending machine shall be within three hundred fifty feet of a building occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07640-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the placement of tobacco vending machines near schools, churches, synagogues or other places of worship
Purpose
To prevent tobacco vending machines from being placed within 350 feet of a school or place of worship.
Summary of provision
The bill prohibits the operation of a vending machine which dispenses tobacco products unless the machine is located outside 350 feet of a building occupied exclusively as a school or place of worship.
Existing law
The bill amends section 1399-dd of the public health law, relating to sale of tobacco products in vending machines, to add this new restriction.
Justification
At a time when society is finally breaking through all the industry perpetuated fallacies about the real dangers of smoking, it is more important than ever to place proper and reasonable restrictions on the sale of tobacco products. This bill would enact one such restriction, to ensure that such products are not sold in vending machines within 350 feet of schools and places of worship. These are sites where children, the most vulnerable targets of tobacco-industry propaganda, regularly congregate, and vending machines are notorious for selling to minors and adults indiscriminately.
The bill will reduce the opportunities for minors to make illegal purchases of cigarettes.
Prior legislative history
2015-16: S.2790 - Referred to Health 2013-14: S.3222 - Referred to Health 2012: S.6198 - Referred to Health
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.