Senator Phillips Announces Legislation Prohibiting The Distribution And Sale Of Electronic Cigarettes To Minors

Senator Elaine Phillips announced today that the New York State Senate passed a bill she co-sponsored that prohibits the distribution or sale of electronic cigarettes to minors.

“Although marketed as healthier alternatives to cigarettes, electronic cigarettes carry many of the same long-term health risks caused by smoking and studies show they can be a gateway to traditional smoking,” Senator Elaine Phillips said. “This measure will reduce the likelihood of these dangerous products, which are proven to be addictive and cause cognitive and behavioral deficiencies, from getting in the hands of minors.”

The bill (S1223) prohibits the distribution or sale of electronic cigarettes to minors, by any person engaged in the business of selling or distributing electronic cigarettes for commercial purposes, or by any agent and or employee.

The use of electronic cigarettes has nearly tripled in one-year’s time, including an increase in those under eighteen, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control. While electronic cigarettes do not contain tobacco, they contain nicotine, which has been proven to be addictive, have negative effects on working memory, cause attention issues, and create cognitive and behavioral impairments on youth.