Pol sour on sweet flavors in e-cigs
ALBANY — In a bid to diminish the appeal of vaping to teens, a Manhattan assemblywoman wants to ban the sale of flavored liquids used in e-cigarettes.
“That kind of product is meant to appeal to kids,” said Democrat Linda Rosenthal, who introduced a bill in late September to ban the sale and distribution of e-cigarette liquids in New York. “I don’t know many adults who would like to inhale bubblegum or strawberry vapor,” she said.
The legislation would mark the latest in a series of recent steps by the state to curb e-cigarette use, especially among minors.
In July, Gov. Cuomo signed a measure that outlawed the smoking of e-cigarettes in all public and private schools.
The state also recently extended the provisions of the Clean Indoor Air Act to include e-cigs, effectively banning them in restaurants, bars and workplaces.
Julie Hart of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network applauded Rosenthal’s legislation.
“Sweet products have fueled the popularity of e-cigarettes to kids,” Hart said.Gregory Conley, president of the American Vaping Association, slammed Rosenthal’s bill, arguing that flavored vapor products help adults “disconnect themselves” from the taste of tobacco.