Wants ban on flavored units amid crisis
Gov in huff & puff on e-cigs
Gov. Cuomo on Sunday pushed to ban flavored e-cigarettes across New York state amid what he called a “health crisis.”
“This is a burgeoning health crisis,” Cuomo said of vaping, which has been linked to six recent deaths nationwide and is believed to have sickened hundreds of others.
With doctors across the country searching for answers, public scrutiny has intensified over the sale of flavored e-cigarettes that can appeal to youngsters, he said.
“Names like ‘Bubblegum,’ ‘Cotton Candy,’ ‘Captain Crunch’ — which was my favorite — these are obviously targeted to young people,” Cuomo said, making the point that cereal-flavored tobacco is clearly marketed towards kids.
Cuomo’s proposed ban, which would require an emergency declaration from the governor and approval from the state Public Health and Health Planning Council, could take effect as early as Oct. 4.
The PHHPC approval is widely viewed as a formality because the body’s ranks are appointed by Cuomo.
President Trump moved last week to temporarily yank flavored e-cigarettes from the market until they can be evaluated and regulated by federal health watchdogs, but Cuomo argued that the measure doesn’t go far enough to protect young people.
“I’m not relying or waiting on the federal government,” said Cuomo, never missing a chance to take a shot at the Trump administration. “I don’t expect them to do anything responsibly, because I’ve never seen them act responsibly. Our destiny is in our hands and we are taking action.”
State Health Department Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker will formally recommend the ban to the PHHPC this week, and, upon its approval, state retailers would have a two-week grace period before the crackdown begins.
Only tobacco- and mentholflavored e-cigarettes would remain legal in the Empire State — though the city and state are both pushing separate bans on minty smokes.
Albany is also considering a moratorium on mentholated vapes, but Zucker hasn’t pulled the trigger yet because they can help menthol-cigarette smokers kick their habits, Cuomo said.
But state politicians questioned whether the governor was stopping short.
“I’m glad it’s being done,” Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) said of the proposed ban. “But I still think the ban should be codified in law” to prevent a future governor from simply lifting the ban.
“I’m going to propose a bill [to] ban the sale of all e-cigarettes pending the results of the federal investigation,” Rosenthal said.
State Sen. Kevin Thomas (DLong Island) called Cuomo’s action a “step in the right direction,” but advocated for legislation to ban shady e-cigarette liquid cartridges sold on the black market or Internet.
“There are many fillers in these cartridges,” Thomas said. “We don’t know what’s in them.”
Juul, the nation’s largest e-cigarette company, said it welcomes steps to keep kids from using its products.
“We will review today’s announcement as we strongly agree with the need for aggressive category-wide action on flavored products,” said spokesman Austin Finan. “We will continue to combat youth usage, while supporting reasonable access to vapor products for adults looking to switch from combustible cigarettes.”
New York would join Michigan, which announced a renewable six-month ban on flavored e-cigarettes earlier this month.