Bamboo blow for the vape this morning in the United States! Following the bad buzz generated by several deaths which allegedly concern "vaping", the first legislative reactions were not long in coming. In New York State, the governor Andrew Cuomo has just announced the ban on all flavored e-cigarettes, with the exception of tobacco and menthol flavors.
A BAD BUZZ IN EXCUSE TO TACKLE THE E-CIGARETTE!
After the reaction of the president Donald Trump a few days ago, the repercussions of the investigation into the deaths of several people following suspicious lung diseases were not long in coming. The Governor of the State of New York, Andrew Cuomo announced this Sunday a ban on the sale of flavored e-liquids for e-cigarettes through an emergency procedure.
This decision comes within the framework of a highly publicized investigation, of a real “bad buzz” on diseases which would be related to “vaping”.
Andrew Cuomo announced the emergency executive action on Sunday, citing efforts by state health officials to curb the growing number of young people using vaping products. He also accused e-cigarette makers of marketing flavorings intended to make children addicted to nicotine.
« Fruit and candy flavored e-cigarette makers are deliberately and recklessly targeting young people, and we're taking action today to end it“Cuomo said.
State police and the Ministry of Health will also intensify their crackdown on shops selling e-cigarettes to minors, the governor's office said, citing complaints of illegal sales to minors.
« At the same time, unscrupulous stores knowingly sell vaping products to young minors: these vendors are now told that we are strengthening law enforcement and that they will be arrested and prosecuted“Cuomo said. " New York lawmakers lowered the legal age for buying tobacco and e-cigarettes from 21 to 18 on November 21. We will once again focus on this law as part of future law enforcement efforts, which encourage young minors to attempt to purchase tobacco and e-cigarettes."
NO DIFFERENCES BETWEEN E-CIGARETTE, OPIOIDS, THC FOR GOVERNOR CUOMO
At a press conference in Manhattan on Sunday, Governor Cuomo also compared the e-cigarette industry to companies accused of creating and fueling the opioid epidemic.
« I do not think it's a scandalous parallel to look at the work we're doing right now with opioid companies" , did he declare. " They were selling pain relievers that they knew were highly addictive. This created drug addicts in users which in turn allowed them to form more business relationships."
« This tobacco, these cigarettes and now these vapor-producing e-cigarettes, it's still nicotine. And nicotine is addictive. Even setting aside other products that could be added - THC, Vitamin E - nicotine in itself is the addictive drug and that's what they sell. “Cuomo said.
At the same time, the network of action against cancer the American Cancer Society urged Governor Cuomo to include mint and menthol e-liquids in the ban, citing 64% of youth who report using e-cigarettes with a menthol flavor.
« Exempting menthol e-liquids from this law makes no sense" , said Bill Sherman, Director General of Government Relations. " This emergency regulation has gaping holes that will allow the tobacco industry to continue to attract their children »
The executive's actions followed further action taken by New York State against vape companies. For example, vape shops are now required to display signs warning people of the health risks associated with vaping products.
All of New York's anti-smoking campaigns will soon have to include information on e-cigarettes and nicotine as part of a series of measures signed by Governor Cuomo on Thursday.
