The Prevention Council of Putnam and the Putnam Communities That Care Coalition, proudly acknowledge the hard work of our partners from POW’R Against Tobacco. Their tireless commitment to tobacco control helped the passing of several New York State laws regarding the ban of flavor e-cigarettes/vapes, (including mint and menthol) and the sale of tobacco products at pharmacies, effective May 18, 2020. These laws will be expanded on July 1, 2020 to include the restriction of discounts on tobacco products and shipping /delivery of tobacco products to residential addresses. These laws will have significant impact on the access and availability of tobacco products to minors, decreasing the number of young people who develop nicotine addictions, often seen as a pathway to other substance use disorders.
“Effective July 1, 2020
- Pharmacies are no longer allowed to sell any tobacco or nicotine product that isn’t an approved smoking cessation therapy.
- Online sales of any e-liquids–regardless of flavor–are banned (vapor products are folded into the same provision that bans shipment of cigarettes to consumers). This does not include components or devices. The penalty for selling or shipping a vapor product to a consumer in NY is a Class A misdemeanor and carries a fine of $5000 or $100 per vapor product.
- A person other than a common or contract carrier can still transport vapor. products, but there is now a limit of 500 milliliters or 3 grams of nicotine.
- Coupons or “price reduction instruments” for tobacco products are banned.
- Vapor manufacturers must post a detailed ingredient list including a disclosure of “the nature and extent of investigations and research performed by or for the manufacturer concerning the effects on human health of such product or its ingredients.” Manufacturers are also required to list “each byproduct that may be introduced into vapor produced during the normal use of such e-cigarette.” NOTE: This requirement does not apply to any other tobacco product.
- Tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products and marketing materials visible in storefronts and ads on exterior windows are banned within 1500ft of a school (500ft for New York City).”