Statement From Senator Brad Hoylman On Legislation To Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes In New York State

NEW YORK CITY – State Senator Brad Hoylman (D/WF-Manhattan), who sponsors legislation with Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal (S428-B/A47-A) to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and with Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte (S6809/A8808) to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, issued the following statement in response to Governor Cuomo’s comments today:

“Big Tobacco is using flavored e-cigarettes, from Cotton Candy to Pink Lemonade, to lure in a new generation of nicotine addicts. The worst part? It appears to be working. More than half of New York high school seniors have tried vaping – and 80% of students who became regular users got hooked after using flavored products.

“I’m pleased to see Governor Cuomo reiterate his support for banning all flavored e-cigarettes, as I carry legislation with Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal to do just that. We must pass this as a standalone bill as quickly as possible, to protect our children from the growing threat of vaping-related illness and nicotine addiction.

“We must also pass the legislation I carry with Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte to ban stores from selling flavored tobacco products like menthol cigarettes, which have been used by Big Tobacco to lure in people of color and members of the LGBTQ community.

“Big Tobacco has killed too many New Yorkers with their toxic products already – we can’t let them kill these bills with millions of dollars in lobbying.”

Senator Hoylman and Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal sponsor S428-B/A47-A, which prohibits the sale and distribution of flavored e-cigarettes. Senator Hoylman and Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte sponsor S6809/A8808, which would prohibit the sale and distribution of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes.