Sometimes it can feel like you are all on your own when it comes to trying to prevent your child from starting an unhealthy habit like vaping. However, this year, New York State passed significant tobacco controls that will complement the work you are already doing on the home front. These changes to state law recognize that tobacco companies use the retail environment to market and enhance access to their deadly products—including to youth.
Here in Cortland County, 1 in 5 students reported vaping in the past 30 days in 2019. With these news laws in place, as well as continued communication about the facts and dangers of vaping from parents like you, we will hopefully see the number of students vaping decline.
So what are the key takeaway WINS
from these new laws that parents should be celebrating?
As of May 18th, 2020 in New York State:
WINTobacco/vaping products can no longer be sold in pharmacies.
WIN The sale of flavored vape products (that lack an FDA marketing order) ends across the state. This applies to the sale of menthol flavored products, but allows for those with tobacco flavor.
Why?
Flavors are known to hook kids.
As of July 1st, 2020 in New York State:
WIN The exterior display of tobacco products and tobacco advertising near schools is prohibited. This law will prohibit the display of smoking paraphernalia and advertisements for tobacco/nicotine vapor products in exterior windows or storefronts within 1,500 feet of a school (or 500 feet in NYC)
Why?
Youth exposure to tobacco marketing is known to drive experimentation with tobacco products.
WIN Retailer penalties for tobacco control sales violations (illegally selling to underage purchasers) are increased.
WIN Retailers can no longer accept coupons or discounts for tobacco/vaping products or sell them with multi-pack promotions
Why?
This combats a common tactic used by tobacco companies to attract new users (like teens!) and maintain their existing customer base.
WIN Delivery of e-cigarettes and vapor products to private residences is no longer allowed—ending online sales. These products are added to a list of products that common carriers (such as UPS) may not ship to a residential address. The current list includes; cigarettes, RYO cigarette tobacco, and smokeless tobacco.
Why?
Stopping home deliveries of these additional products will help prevent illicit sales of vapor products, including a portion of sales to youth, and of potentially dangerous products skirting FDA review.
Bottom Line WIN
All of these new measures in New York State will counter the industry’s efforts to present tobacco/vape as an appealing choice and prevent teens from accessing these products. By reducing teen access and tobacco marketing, over the next few years, we could see a reduction in the percentage of Cortland County students who report vaping.
