Carlucci Calls on Lawmakers to Make Legislation to Ban Flavored Vape Products a Priority Next Session

(New City, NY) -- Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) sponsors legislation (S.1181/A.4787) to ban flavored e-cigarettes and is calling on lawmakers to make it a priority at the start of the next legislative session in Albany.

“Hundreds of people have been sickened by a severe lung illness linked to vaping, and some have even died,” said Senator David Carlucci. “We do not know what is causing this outbreak, and meanwhile flavored vape products are marketed to children and teens. This is about protecting lives and lawmakers taking a ban on flavored vape products seriously in Albany.” 

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) along with the Centers Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of severe pulmonary disease associated with e-cigarette products. At least 450 people, mostly in their teens or 20’s, suffered the lung illness and at least 5 people have died.

In New York, at least 41 people have fallen sick, and the State Health Commissioner issued a warning on Saturday, urging people to stop using all vape products.

State health officials are focusing their investigation on vitamin E acetate found in some black-market products containing THC, the psychoactive agent in marijuana.

Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Monday that he wants to see flavored vape products banned in New York State.

“I welcome the Governor’s support of legislation. We do not know what is in vaping products, and right now there are more than 7,700 flavors of e-cigarettes marketed to teens and children. I urge lawmakers to get this bill passed quickly," said Carlucci.

Senator Carlucci introduced legislation to ban flavored vape products in April of 2018.