NewYorkPost: You can’t walk through New York City without being overwhelmed by the smell of cannabis as thousands of unlicensed smoke shops spread like poisonous weeds.
Gothamist: Mayor Eric Adams is trying to cut New York City’s supply of flavored vapes off at the source by blocking major distributors from shipping to retailers in the five boroughs. Anti-vaping activists said they are encouraged by the mayor’s announcement on Monday. But some New York City vapers said they are skeptical about the mayor’s ability to eradicate an ever-changing array of products from local stores.
WNYC’S Gothamist: New York City officials are pushing a new method for cracking down on illegal weed shops in the city: going after the landlords. More than half of the City Council's members are sponsoring a bill that will lead to serious penalties for people who knowingly lease space to unlicensed sellers of marijuana, tobacco and other controlled substances.
Tobacco Free Kids: Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York legislative leaders have delivered an important victory for kids and health by agreeing on a state budget that includes a $1 increase in the state cigarette tax.
New York Amsterdam News: Governor Kathy Hochul has courageously included a proposal in her Executive Budget to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes, but the legislature is dragging their feet (as they’ve done for years). It’s well past time for lawmakers to pass the menthol ban on both city and state levels to protect Black lungs and Black futures.
NY.gov: New York Attorney General Letitia James today secured the largest multistate agreement with JUUL Labs Inc. (JUUL) and its former directors and executives for their alleged role in contributing to the youth vaping epidemic that led to a rise in underage e-cigarette vaping nationwide.
Spectrum News 1: Appearing in upstate New York on Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to immediately investigate "Elf Bar" vape cigarettes that he said are made in China and targeting students in New York through social media and kid-friendly flavors.
Lohud: In proposing to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul aims to curtail the tobacco industry’s most pernicious tactic for targeting and addicting kids, Black people and other communities.
The Village Sun: Now that state-sponsored pot dispensaries are being rolled out, featuring taxed weed, the city says it’s turning up the heat on illicit smoke shops. But how much? And will it really put a dent in the booming gray market?
INSIDER - One tobacco giant — Reynolds American — is actively spreading millions of dollars to hundreds of state-level political candidates and political action committees, according to an internal corporate governance document reviewed by Insider.
New York Times: While the tobacco industry was one of the most heavily regulated in the country, the e-cigarette market was like the Wild West, with no rules dictating how the industry could advertise or to whom it could sell its products.
Eagle News Online: The Baldwinsville Central School District has joined more than 100 school districts across the nation in a class-action lawsuit against vaping juggernaut Juul Labs, Inc.
NYC Health: There are risks associated with smoking, vaping (also known as e-cigarette use) and COVID-19, but resources are available to help you quit or cut back.
Tobacco Free Kids: New York leaders today delivered a historic win for kids over the tobacco industry by agreeing to include legislation in the state’s annual budget that prohibits the sale of all flavored e-cigarettes.
The New York Times: Tobacco and marijuana products damage lungs, where the virus does its harm. Health officials are urging people to quit, and temporary sales bans are even being discussed.
Times Union: The state budget approved overnight Friday was crafted against the backdrop of a pandemic and economic crisis, but many Democratic lawmakers counted their wins from a $177 billion spending plan that includes a number of progressive policies.
Buffalo News: A move is afoot in the New York State Legislature to ban flavored tobacco products – things like menthol cigarettes, cigars or chewable tobacco. If a ban makes anyone less likely to smoke, it is a good move..
