On Wednesday, the New York Senate passed a significant bill aimed at curbing the sale of vape products designed to entice children. Senate Bill S7882, sponsored by State Senator Monica Martinez (D), targets vape products that resemble school supplies, children’s toys, or use packaging and advertising intended to attract minors.
Violators of this bill, if enacted, could face a civil penalty of up to $1,500 for the first violation and $2,500 for each subsequent violation.
“It’s time to clear the air of underage vaping in New York, and the Senate’s approval gets us one step closer to making that a reality,” said Martinez. “These devices and their marketing are deliberately designed to entice children. For the protection of our state’s most vulnerable population, it’s time for this to end.”
The bill outlines specific prohibitions for businesses selling tobacco and related products. They would be banned from offering items that include pictures, logos, symbols, mottos, selling messages, or colors that specifically appeal to minors. This includes representations of cartoon, movie, or video game characters, toys, electronic devices, and school supplies, such as markers, highlighters, ballpoint pens, and thumb drives.
The bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored by nine members of the state Senate, must still be approved by the Assembly and signed by the governor before it can go into effect. A companion version of the proposal, sponsored by Assemblyman Charles Fall, is pending in that chamber.
According to data from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey, e-cigarettes have been the most popular product among those under the legal age of use for the tenth consecutive year. The report also noted that while e-cigarette use decreased among high school students, there was an increase in overall tobacco product use among middle school students.
This legislation represents a crucial step in protecting the youth of New York from the dangers of nicotine addiction and the misleading marketing tactics of the vape industry. With continued efforts and legislative support, a healthier future for the state’s children is within reach.