tobacco products

UPDATED 8:53 p.m. with statement from Paul Pettit, director of Public Health for Genesee and Orleans counties.*

From Tobacco-free GOW:

The sale of flavored e-cigarettes ended in New York State on Monday, May 18, as did the sale of all tobacco products in pharmacies. These are huge steps forward in helping New Yorkers live free from nicotine addiction.

* “We are pleased that this new law has taken effect,” said Paul Pettit, director of the Genesee and Orleans County Health departments. “The timing is excellent with COVID-19 impacting the health of so many who have underlying health issues, which may have been brought on due to health issues related to smoking and vaping.”

The new laws were passed as part of the state’s fiscal year 2021 budget. New York becomes the second state in the nation to restrict the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies. 

“These policies are all part of a full court press, said Andrew Hyland, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Health Behavior and head of Tobacco Control Programs at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. “They are part of long-standing efforts by New York State to change the social norms about tobacco by making products less appealing and less accessible.

"The New York State Smokers Quitline continues to be there for smokers looking to quit (1-866-NY-QUITS, www.nysmokefree.com.)”

Research shows that the flavors in e-cigarettes attract kids and the nicotine addicts them. Nearly 40 percent of high school seniors in New York State use e-cigarettes, also referred to as “vaping,” and 27 percent of all high school youth vape.

This new law ending the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in New York State will protect kids from a lifetime of nicotine addiction.