BILL NUMBER:S4188

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public health law, in relation to
prohibiting e-cigarettes on school grounds

PURPOSE:

This bill prohibits the use of e-cigarettes on school grounds.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of this bill amends section 1399-o of the Public Health
Law by adding a new subdivision 4 prohibiting the possession of an
"e-cigarette" on "school grounds," as defined in subdivision thirteen
of § 1399-aa and subdivision six of § 1399-n of the Public Health Law,
respectively.

Section two is the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are defined by the Public Health
Law as, electronic devices that deliver vapor which is inhaled by an
individual user, and shall include any refill, cartridge and any other
component of such a device. Generally, these are electronic devices
that deliver nicotine to the user. While these devices do not contain
              

tobacco or emit smoke, they heat up liquid nicotine and emit water
vapor. E-cigarettes are not currently regulated by the FDA and are not
subject to tobacco laws since they do not contain tobacco.  This lack
of oversight is placing individuals at risk because there is little
known about the chemical make-up of the liquid nicotine or the harm to
individuals from inhaling the water vapor directly or through
secondhand exposure. In fact, testing performed by the FDA found that
electronic cigarettes can be dangerous because users inhale
carcinogens and toxic chemicals, such as diethylene glycol, an
ingredient found in antifreeze. It is for these reasons the state
banned the sale and distribution of electronic cigarettes to minors
under the age of 18 in 2012.

This legislation is necessary to further protect minors from the
dangers of these unregulated devices, particularly because they have
not been proven to be safe for use at any age, by prohibiting their
use on any school ground. School grounds are defined by the Public
Health Law as, any building, structure, and surrounding outdoor
grounds contained within a public or private pre-school, nursery
school, elementary or secondary school's legally defined property
boundaries as registered in a county clerk's office, and any vehicles
used to transport children or school personnel. The use of electronic
cigarettes in schools is a major problem. Because they are so easily
hidden, students will bring e-cigarettes into classrooms and use the
devises while class is in session. Not only is this distracting for
the other students, e-cigarette use may pose major health risks to
users, and as stated above, the sale and distribution of these devises
to minors remains prohibited. Although teachers are not always aware
of the use, students detect e-cigarette usage because of the
distinctive odors produced by e-cigarettes. Furthermore, e-cigarettes


may not be included under tobacco-free school regulations because the
devices do not contain any tobacco.

Despite the absence of tobacco and the prohibition against the sale of
these devices to minors, e-cigarette use by children and teens remains
prevalent and should be robustly discouraged. Unknown health
consequences and the ubiquitous nature of e-cigarettes make these
devices especially concerning. By prohibiting the possession of these
devices on school grounds the State of New York renews its commitment
to preventing childhood and teenage smoking.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect immediately.

                                BILL NUMBER:S4188A

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public health law, in relation to
prohibiting e-cigarettes on school grounds

PURPOSE: This bill prohibits the use of e-cigarettes on school
grounds.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of this bill amends section 1399-o of the Public Health
Law by adding a new subdivision 4 prohibiting the activation or use of
an electronic or e-cigarette to simulate smoking on school grounds.

Section two is the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:  Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are defined by
the Public Health Law as, electronic devices that deliver vapor which
is inhaled by an individual user, and shall include any refill,
cartridge and any other component of such a device. Generally, these
are electronic devices that deliver nicotine to the user. While these
devices do not contain tobacco or emit smoke, they heat up liquid
nicotine and emit water vapor. E-cigarettes are not currently
regulated by the FDA and are not subject to tobacco laws since they do
not contain tobacco.  This lack of oversight is placing individuals at
risk because there is little known about the chemical make-up of the
              

liquid nicotine or the harm to individuals from inhaling the water
vapor directly or through secondhand exposure. In fact, testing
performed by the FDA found that electronic cigarettes can be dangerous
because users inhale carcinogens and toxic chemicals, such as
diethylene glycol, an ingredient found in antifreeze. It is for these
reasons the state banned the sale and distribution of electronic
cigarettes to minors under the age of 18 in 2012.

This legislation is necessary to further protect minors from the
dangers of these unregulated devices, particularly because they have
not been proven to be safe for use at any age, by prohibiting their
use on any school ground. School grounds are defined by the Public
Health Law as, any building, structure, and surrounding outdoor
grounds contained within a public or private pre-school, nursery
school, elementary or secondary school's legally defined property
boundaries as registered in a county clerk's office, and any vehicles
used to transport children or school personnel. The use of electronic
cigarettes in schools is a major problem. Because they are so easily
hidden, students will bring e-cigarettes into classrooms and use the
devises while class is in session. Not only is this distracting for
the other students, e-cigarette use may pose major health risks to
users, and as stated above, the sale and distribution of these devises
to minors remains prohibited. Although teachers are not always aware
of the use, students detect e-cigarette usage because of the
distinctive odors produced by e-cigarettes. Furthermore, e-cigarettes
may not be included under tobacco-free school regulations because the
devices do not contain any tobacco.

Despite the absence of tobacco and the prohibition against the sale of
these devices to minors, e-cigarette use by children and teens remains
prevalent and should be robustly discouraged. Unknown health


consequences and the ubiquitous nature of e-cigarettes make these
devices especially concerning. By prohibiting the possession of these
devices on school grounds the State of New York renews its commitment
to preventing childhood and teenage smoking.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This act shall take effect immediately.

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S4188B

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting
e-cigarettes on school grounds

 PURPOSE :

This bill prohibits the activation or use of e-cigarettes on school
grounds.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 amends § 1399-o of the Public Health Law by adding a new
subdivision 5 prohibiting the activation or use of an electronic
cigarette or e-cigarette on school grounds. School grounds are defined
under § 1399-n(6) of the Public Health Law. Electronic cigarettes or
e-cigarettes shall have the same meaning as § 1399-aa(13) of the
Public Health Law.

Section 2 is the effective date.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are defined by the Public Health
              

Law as, electronic devices that deliver vapor which is inhaled by an
individual user, and shall include any refill, cartridge and any other
component of such a device. Generally, these are electronic devices
that deliver nicotine to the user. While these devices do not contain
tobacco or emit smoke, they heat up liquid nicotine and emit water
vapor. E-cigarettes are not currently regulated by the FDA and are not
subject to tobacco laws since they do not contain tobacco.  This lack
of oversight is placing individuals at risk because there is little
known about the chemical make-up of the liquid nicotine or the harm to
individuals from inhaling the water vapor directly or through
secondhand exposure. In fact, testing performed by the FDA found that
electronic cigarettes can be dangerous because users inhale
carcinogens and toxic chemicals, such as diethylene glycol, an
ingredient found in antifreeze. It is for these reasons the state
banned the sale and distribution of electronic cigarettes to minors
under the age of 18 in 2012.

This legislation is necessary to further protect minors from the
dangers of these unregulated devices, particularly because they have
not been proven to be safe for use at any age, by prohibiting their
use on any school ground. School grounds are defined by the Public
Health Law as, any building, structure, and surrounding outdoor
grounds contained within a public or private pre-school, nursery
school, elementary or secondary school's legally defined property
boundaries as registered in a county clerk's office, and any vehicles
used to transport children or school personnel. The use of electronic
cigarettes in schools is a major problem. Because they are so easily
hidden, students will bring e-cigarettes into classrooms and use the
devises while class is in session. Not only is this distracting for
the other students, e-cigarette use may pose major health risks to
users, and as stated above, the sale and distribution of these devises
to minors remains prohibited. Although teachers are not always aware
of the use, students detect e-cigarette usage because of the
distinctive odors produced by e-cigarettes. Furthermore, e-cigarettes
may not be included under tobacco-free school regulations because the
devices do not contain any tobacco.

Despite the absence of tobacco and the prohibition against the sale of
these devices to minors, e-cigarette use by children and teens remains
prevalent and should be robustly discouraged. Unknown health
consequences and the ubiquitous nature of e-cigarettes make these
devices especially concerning. By prohibiting the possession of these
devices on school grounds the State of New York renews its commitment
to preventing childhood and teenage smoking.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2015: S.4188-A reported from Health

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.