New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks at a news conference about vaping. Photo: AP Photo
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https://scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3027368/new-york-declares-emergency-ban-flavoured-e United States & Canada
New York declares ‘emergency’ ban on flavoured e-cigarettes after vaping linked to several deaths
- Governor Andrew Cuomo says ‘vaping is very dangerous’ and ‘addicting millions of young people’ at a news conference to announce radical move
A man smokes an electronic cigarette in Chicago. Photo: AP Photo
New York imposed an statewide “emergency” ban on flavoured e-cigarettes amid a rising national epidemic of serious respiratory illness – and several deaths – linked to vaping.
“Vaping is dangerous,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said at a news conference. “It’s addicting millions of young people to nicotine at a very early age.”
Jason Conwall, a spokesman for the governor, said the ban would cover thousands of flavours of e-cigarettes and vaping liquid like mango, bubblegum and candyfloss. Mint, a popular flavour among young people, would be included in the ban. However, menthol and tobacco flavours, which are used mostly by adults, would not be.
Almost 400 cases of respiratory ailments in three dozen states have been linked to vaping, and at least six people have died. Health officials haven’t pinned down the exact cause of the illnesses or one particular product.
Vaping is embroiled in controversy as it has attracted millions of users, both for tobacco and cannabis. Advocates say it’s less harmful than smoking and can be useful in quitting tobacco products – a view held widely in Europe.
The recent spate of illnesses has underscored what opponents say are its dangers: that nicotine remains highly addictive, is unsafe especially for young people and that the products generally have been allowed to be sold widely with little regulation.
A sign advertises Juul pods, used for vaping in e-cigarettes, outside of a store in New York. Photo: EPA-EFE
Michigan this month became the first state to issue a limited ban on flavoured e-cigarettes. Several others, including California and Massachusetts, are considering bans.
Last week, the White House proposed a nationwide ban, saying President Donald Trump would propose a specific legislation in several weeks also aimed at cutting youth consumption of flavoured vaping products.
The American Lung Association criticised Cuomo’s plan, saying it did not go far enough.
“Unfortunately the action did not apply to menthol flavoured e-cigarettes, which with mint flavoured e-cigarettes are favoured by the majority of high school students,” Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, said in a press release.
Cuomo said the state did not ban menthol out of consideration for adult smokers who haven’t been able to quit menthol cigarettes.
“They tried the lozenges,” Cuomo said. “They tried the medications. They tried everything. Nothing else worked – a very limited pool – and they’re trying vaping. The menthol flavour for the vaping helps menthol cigarette smokers.”
The ban would take effect by early October after Cuomo confers with state health officials. The governor plans fuller legislation against vaping in January, his spokesman said.
Juul Labs Inc., the largest and most visible e-cigarette maker, said in a statement it was reviewing New York’s ban and that it agrees on what it called a need for “aggressive category-wide action”.
The company has faced criticism for targeting young people with its discreet, popular device. Juul, which is under increasing scrutiny nationwide, said it would “fully comply” with all local laws.