NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A2595
SPONSOR: Rosenthal (MS) TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the public health law, in relation to
including electronic cigarettes within provisions regulating smoking in
certain public areas
PURPOSE: This bill bans the use of electronic cigarettes in certain
indoor areas
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of this bill amends section 1399-n of the Public Health Law
to include in the definition of "smoking" the use of electronic ciga-
rettes. This bill also adds the definition of "retail electronic ciga-
rette store" to mean a retail store devoted primarily to the sale of
electronic cigarettes, and in which the sale of other products is merely
incidental. The sale of such other products shall be considered inci-
dental if such sales generate less than twenty-five percent of the total
annual gross sales.
Section two of this bill amends section 1399-q of the Public Health Law
to exempt retail electronic cigarette stores from the Clean Indoor Air
Act. This bill also allows for a two day exemption for other establish-
ments that are functioning for the primary purpose of promoting and
sampling e-cigarettes.
Section three of this bill amends section 13 of section 1399-aa of the
Public Health Law to amend the definition of e-cigarette.
Section four has this act taking effect on the thirtieth day after it
becomes law.
JUSTIFICATION: This bill bans the use of electronic cigarettes under
the Clean Indoor Air Act and certain outdoor areas. Electronic ciga-
rettes, commonly known as e-cigarettes, are electronic devices that
deliver nicotine to the user. These devices do not contain tobacco or
emitted smoke, rather they heat up liquid nicotine and emit water vapor.
E-cigarettes are not currently regulated by the FDA and are not subject
to tobacco laws since they do not contain tobacco. This lack of over-
sight, is placing individuals at risk because there is little known
about the chemical make-up of the liquid nicotine or the harm to indi-
viduals from inhaling the water vapor directly or through secondhand
exposure. In fact, testing performed by the FDA found that electronic
cigarettes can be dangerous because users inhale carcinogens and toxic
chemicals, such as diethylene glycol, an ingredient found in antifreeze.
It is for these reasons, the state banned the sale and distribution of
electronic cigarettes to minors under the age of 18 in 2012. This legis-
lation is necessary to further protect New Yorkers from the dangers of
these unregulated devices, particularly given that they have not been
proven to be safe for use at any age. This legislation provides an
exemption for retail e-cigarette stores and for conventions that are for
the purpose of promoting and sampling e-cigarette products.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: A.8178 of 2013-2014
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None
EFFECTIVE DATE: This act takes effect on the thirtieth day after it
becomes law.
