NY state poised to ban e-cigarette flavors

The US state of New York is moving toward becoming one of the first states to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes with nicotine, according to a bill with strong sponsors in the State Legislature, according to a story in Newsday.

The bill notes that a U.S. surgeon general report found that people 18 to 24 years old are much more likely to use flavored e-cigarettes than people over 25 years old, according to the bill’s sponsor, Assemb. Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan). The report stated these younger smokers erroneously believe flavored e-cigarettes are less of a health hazard than traditional cigarettes.

The bill easily passed the Assembly and Senate health committees and could reach the Senate floor for a vote as early as this week, according to the story.

Flavored e-cigarettes with nicotine are already prohibited for people under 18 years old. A bill passed by the legislature this year would raise the smoking age to 21 years old and awaits Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s signature to become law.