Senator Thomas to Lead Public Hearing On Regulating E-Cigarettes and Vaping

Senator Thomas to Lead Public Hearing On Regulating E-Cigarettes and Vaping

(New York, NY) A statewide public hearing will be held today, November 4, to examine the safety and potential harms of electronic cigarettes and vaping, especially among school aged youth. The hearing will be led by Senator Kevin Thomas, Chair of the Senate Consumer Protection Committee, Senator Shelley B. Mayer, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education and Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee. Dr. Kenneth A. Card Jr., Superintendent of East Meadow School District, will be present to serve as an expert witness during the hearing. 

“We have seen an alarming increase in vaping related illnesses and deaths which has exposed a glaring lack of regulation on e-cigarettes and related products,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “These dangerous products are targeting our children, and we have a responsibility to examine, regulate, and protect the health of all New Yorkers, especially our most vulnerable residents. I commend Senators Kevin Thomas, Shelley Mayer, and Senator Gustavo Rivera for co-chairing this hearing and working to address this situation.”

Senator Kevin Thomas said, “As the Chairman of the Committee on Consumer Protection, my priority is to protect 20 million New Yorkers from products that pose a risk to consumers’ health and safety. The recent outbreaks of vaping-related illnesses are a cause for deep concern, especially considering that e-cigarettes are the most commonly used source of nicotine among youth. As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to examine these products closely and craft policies that will protect the health and safety of all New Yorkers. I want to thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her support as my Senate colleagues and I work to address this pressing issue.”  

The hearing will focus on gathering input from experts and stakeholders on potential legislative solutions to regulate e-cigarettes and vaping products in the upcoming legislative session. The hearing will be in Manhattan on Monday, November 4 at 12:00 PM in the Senate Hearing Room, 250 Broadway, 19^th Floor, New York, NY 10007. A Live Stream of the Hearing will be available at https://www.nysenate.gov/calendar/public-hearings/november-04-2019/public-hearing-investigate-safety-and-potential-harms-1. 

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