Politics & Government

Carlucci Pushes for Tougher Regulation of E-Cigarettes

Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) joined Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (D-Ossining) in calling for tighter regulations on e-cigarettes. 

Carlucci is sponsoring legislation in the New York State Senate that would categorize the use of e-cigarettes as smoking, treating it the same as burning a cigarette, cigar or pipe. Galef brought similar legislation to the Assembly.

According to a release from Carlucci's office, one concern is the promotion of e-cigarettes as a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes, though both contain nicotine. The goal of the bill is to eliminate confusion regarding the use of e-cigarettes where traditional ones are not permitted and to protect the public from any potential health issues related to their use. E-cigarettes are battery operated and they use cartridges with nicotine, flavoring and other chemicals which are turned into vapor that is inhaled by the user.

"Electronic cigarette companies, much like big tobacco in its heyday, are using their unregulated status in New York to market their products toward teens," Carlucci said. "It doesn't take a Madison Avenue executive to realize how creating an electronic cigarette flavor of tutti fruity will attract a younger demographic. These products contain nicotine, produce a smoke-like vapor and may contain other potentially hazardous chemicals that are being inhaled into the body. This legislation is an important component in the fight against youth smoking."

Carlucci joined Galef and Ossining High School students to promote the issue earlier this month in conjunction with the Great American Smoke Out Nov. 22. 

"We are here today to say enough," Galef said. "We have worked so hard, and the Senator and I particularly have worked together and individually, to reduce the use of cigarettes and the negative public health impact they have on users and non-users alike. Now we have a new threat on the rise with e-cigarettes. We have to nip this in the bud before it gets out of control and we are faced with another health epidemic. 

"I remember how cool the Marlboro Man was in my generation. The e-cigarette marketing looks very similar. Without knowing the effects of using electronic cigarettes may have on users or those directly in contact with users, we are exposing ourselves to potential new hazards, new expenses and public health burdens that hurt us all."

"The potential for population harm from e-cigarettes is great," said Maureen Kenney of the American Lung Association of the Northeast, director of POW'R Against Tobacco. "E-cigarettes may serve as a gateway for youth to become addicted to nicotine and graduate to regular cigarette use, introducing a new generation of smokers to tobacco-related disease and premature death. New York has made great strides in reducing youth smoking rates. High school age youth smoking rates are down nearly 60 percent from 2000 to 2012. The introduction of e-cigarettes threatens the substantial gains made in reducing youth smoking in New York."


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