‘Sweet’ pot, butt what about cigs, gov?

Cigarette sellers are accusing Gov. Hochul of a double standard — proposing a ban on flavored tobacco while allowing the marketing of flavor-infused and fruity-scented marijuana merch.

New York currently bans the sale of flavored vaping products.

In her 2023 State of the State policy agenda, Hochul said she’ll introduce legislation to expand the ban to prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products — including menthol.

The governor also proposed hiking the cigarette tax by $1 — from $4.35 to $5.35 per pack.

“These actions are projected to reduce the number of young people smoking cigarettes by 9%, prevent 22,000 youths from becoming adult smokers, and prevent premature deaths caused by smoking,” Hochul said.

At the same time, Housing Works — a not-forprofit provider operating New York’s first cannabis dispensary in Manhattan — is marketing a number of THC products infused with flavor, or with sweetsounding scents and names.

Flavored cannabis products like gummy edibles also are being sold at some of the 1,400 unlicensed smoke shops in the city, according to Sheriff Anthony Miranda.

The governor’s action smacks of hypocrisy, merchants and tobacco advocates charge.

“Blaming flavored tobacco as a vehicle for underage smoking while promoting flavored cannabis is bizarre and contradictory, and will only impact the lives of retail employees who will see their jobs eliminated,” said Kent Sopris, president of New York Association of Convenience Stores.

He added that “prohibitionist policies such as the flavor ban will have no impact on the availability of the products as they will remain readily available to consumers in nearby states and on the flourishing criminal underground market just like banned flavored vape products are.”

The governor’s office defended the proposed flavored tobacco ban.

“Whether Big Tobacco admits it or not, the facts are clear: Cigarettes kill more than 28,000 New Yorkers each year, and Gov. Hochul’s bold public health proposal will save lives,” said Hochul spokesman Avi Small.

The governor’s office also said New York’s cannabis law explicitly states cannabis advertising is prohibited if it “is designed in any way to appeal to children or other minors.”