It seems that electronic cigarettes are no longer welcome in New York in the United States. On Tuesday, it was confirmed that the use of e-cigarettes in public places in the city will remain illegal, at least for the time being.
NEW YORK STATE COURT OF APPEALS CONFIRMS BAN
The New York State Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a law that includes e-cigarettes in a ban on smoking in public places such as bars, restaurants and beaches. This decision is the latest in a long battle taking place in New York City and which began in December 2013, at the time the mayor Michael Bloomberg, had signed local law 152 prohibiting smoking in public spaces.
In May 2015, a court ruled against CLASH and Wishtart, which had challenged the law, and last Tuesday, the appeals court ruled to uphold that ruling and ban e-cigarettes in public places.
Those who defend e-cigarette restrictions say that while e-cigarettes do not use tobacco, they provide nicotine, which can be potentially dangerous. Once again, the e-cigarette's gateway effect to tobacco is mentioned.
To Edward Paltzik, of the Joshpe Legal Group, which represented the plaintiffs, e-cigarettes are different from, and should not be equated with, conventional cigarettes.
« The Smoke Free Air Act is a subject that concerns products that make smoke outside of electronic cigarettes. He told the New York Law Journal
