Bill Would Ban Sale of Flavored E-Cigarettes

Source from:  NEW YORK DAILY NEWS 10/09/2014

A new bill aims to snuff out the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in the city.

The vapor-based smokes are popular in flavors like green apple, vanilla and cherry.

Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-Queens) will introduce legislation Tuesday to ban the fruity flavors, saying they entice kids to start puffing on the devices.

"These flavors are direct marketing to children," Constantinides said. "They appeal to children, and we're taking them out of that market."

Flavored regular cigarettes were banned in the city in 2009.

E-cigarette proponents say they don't have the harmful health effects of real cigarettes and can help smokers quit, but critics say they do have health risks and the devices glamourize smoking. There's little conclusive research either way on e-cigarettes' safety.

The city has already added e-cigarettes to its ban on smoking in restaurants, offices, and parks.

"These guys are not in the quitting business. They're in the addiction business," Constantinides said.

Update: The American Vaping Association, a pro-electronic cigarette group, hit the bill. "Studies show that e-cigarettes, particularly flavored kinds, are effective at helping smokers move away from combustible cigarettes," said president Gregory Conley. "If Council Member Constantinides's bill becomes law, it will take away a valuable tool for New Yorkers looking to kick the habit."