N.Y. law would ban sale of tobacco products marketed to kids

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A new piece of state legislation aims to take tobacco products marketed to kids off the market.

Assemblyman Charles Fall (D-North Shore/Brooklyn/Lower Manhattan) introduced the legislation that would ban New York stores from selling tobacco products marketed to children, including those designed to mimic school supplies.

“By making it illegal for businesses to sell vape products that mimic everyday school supplies or toys, we are taking a crucial step forward in diminishing the appeal of these products to children and teenagers,” he said. “The deceptive marketing strategies that have allowed tobacco and nicotine products to infiltrate our schools and playgrounds under the guise of benign objects must be stopped. This legislation is about more than just enforcing restrictions; it’s about sending a clear message that the health of our youth is of paramount importance.”

A New York Senate version of the bill, backed by Sen. Monica Martinez (D-Long Island), has drawn bipartisan support, according to the Senate website.

The New York Health Department released a fact sheet in May showing that youth tobacco use had been on the decline since 2018 after seeing an uptick that started in 2014 attributable to the proliferation of vaping products.

New York City and state have taken steps to ban the sale of flavored tobacco product, but Fall’s legislation would target all tobacco product marketed to children.

Included are those products that are designed to resemble school supplies, like highlighters and ballpoint pens, along with products that use packaging designed to target children.

Fall’s bill doesn’t provide a consequence for stores that violate the ban, but he said the goal of the legislation is taking a proactive step to protect children.

“Addressing the root of the problem, we can start to dismantle the allure of vaping and protect future generations from the onset of addictive behaviors and the subsequent health risks,” he said….