Statement on Passage by State Assembly of New York State E-Cigarette Legislation

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network:

Statement on Passage by State Assembly of New York State E-Cigarette Legislation

ALBANY, NY – May 17, 2017 – The New York State Assembly has passed legislation (A.516, Rosenthal) that if also passed by the State Senate and signed into law by Governor Cuomo will prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in public places where smoking is prohibited.  Julie Hart, director of New York government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released the following statement:

“On behalf of cancer advocates across our state, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) applauds the New York State Assembly for passing this public health legislation. We ask the Senate to act now, to protect the health of our children and our hospitality workers. This type of legislation has already been passed and enacted in eight New York State Counties and New York City as well as 10 states.

“Studies have concluded that e-cigarette aerosol is not harmless. Unlike a vapor, an aerosol contains fine particles of liquid, solid, or both. One study found up to 31 constituents in the aerosol, including nicotine, acetaldehyde, and diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease. If enacted, this legislation will protect New Yorkers from secondhand exposure to nicotine and other potentially harmful chemicals found in these products. It will also help ensure that the public health benefits of smoke-free laws are not undermined. Between 2014 and 2016 the use of e-cigarettes among New York State High School students doubled. New Yorkers should not have to wait any longer to breathe clean air.

“Hundreds of New Yorkers visited their state legislators in Albany last week during ACS CAN’s Day at the Capitol and asked for the passage of this bill. Countless others have contacted their legislators via telephone and e-mail. New Yorkers want this bill passed and enacted. The New York State Senate is overdue in acting on this public health measure.

“We thank Speaker Carl Heastie, bill sponsor, Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal and Assembly Health Chair Richard Gottfried for their work and support to close the e-cigarette loophole. We again urge the New York State Senate to also pass this legislation (S.2543, Hannon), and for Governor Cuomo to sign it into law to help protect the health of all New Yorkers.”