Provides that within two years it shall be unlawful to sell filtered cigarettes in this state unless the filter is biodegradable; provides for a civil penalty not to exceed $100 for each violation.
STATE OF NEW YORK
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7941
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 28, 2009
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Introduced by M. of A. KAVANAGH -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
providing biodegradable filters on cigarettes
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Legislative intent. Cigarette filters do not decompose and
2 return to the soil. Consequently they produce unsightly litter as well
3 as posing a possible threat to any water system that they may be flushed
4 into, through plumbing or natural drainage. It is the intent of this
5 legislation to improve the quality of life by removing the litter and
6 reducing the danger of possible chemical reaction through the use of
7 biodegradable filters.
8 § 2. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new
9 section 27-0721 to read as follows:
10 § 27-0721. Filters on cigarettes to be biodegradable.
11 1. Within two years after the effective date of this section, no
12 filtered cigarettes shall be sold or offered for sale in this state
13 unless the manufacturer thereof has certified in writing to the depart-
14 ment that the filter is biodegradable.
15 2. A violation of this section shall be punishable by a civil penalty
16 not to exceed one hundred dollars for each violation thereof.
17 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09755-01-9
