(MINEOLA, N.Y.) - Backed by pediatric doctors, children’s health advocates and anti-smoking and anti-vaping advocates, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran signed into law on Wednesday, Oct. 23 legislation that restricts the advertising of age-restricted products - such as cigarettes, tobacco and vaping products - within 1,000 feet of establishments commonly frequented by youth.
The legislation - passage of which was spearheaded by Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D - Plainview) - applies to facilities such as schools, daycare facilities and parks.
“The legislation I am signing today will restrict advertising of age restricted products near our schools, parks and day care centers -- in turn strengthening our efforts towards protecting the next generation from nicotine products, especially vaping and e-cigarettes,” County Executive Curran said. “Thank you to Legislator Arnold Drucker for introducing this bill and working towards getting these dangerous products out of the hands of our youth.”
Implementing these advertising restrictions aligns with Legislator Drucker’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the health and welfare of young people and protecting them from nicotine addiction and other grave health risks associated with smoking and vaping. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that, as of Oct. 15, 33 deaths and 1,479 lung injury cases associated with e-cigarette use have been reported.
While the CDC indicates that national and state findings point to products containing THC, particularly those obtained off the street or from other informal sources, as the source of many of the lung injuries reported, officials stress that the vaping is unsafe for all ages and that consumers should protect themselves from harm by refraining from the use of any vaping products.
In furtherance of this public-health agenda, on Monday, Oct. 28, the full Legislature is poised to consider and pass Legislator Drucker’s proposal to ban the sale of most flavored vaping products in Nassau County.
“Today’s action is another important step forward in our mission to protect our young people from getting hooked on dangerous products that deliver a cocktail of heavy metals to their lungs with every puff,” Legislator Drucker said. “On Monday, we will have an opportunity to take decisive action by outlawing the sale of flavored vaping products that taste like cotton candy but are packed with as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. With the support of my colleagues, we will get this done for our residents and our young people. I thank County Executive Curran for her ongoing support and all of the advocates for their tireless efforts.”
