In the past few days an information leak has revealed that the New York City might be planning a very strict set of laws for electronic cigarettes and other vapor products.
From what we know it is not an outright ban, but it is a change in laws that put some alarming standards and limitations on how electronic cigarettes are regulated and sold in the Big Apple. This isn’t something that should just concern vapers in New York, due to the fact that New York has a tendency to set trends for many other parts of the nation. We all know that New York has been implementing some widely debated and even ridiculed health initiatives under Mayor Bloomberg (outlawing large servings of soda for example), but that doesn’t mean they have lost their ability to sway lawmakers in other parts of the country.
The news that leaked describes what is being called a proposed city ordinance. If this ordinance ends up passing it would significantly change the way that electronic cigarettes, e juices, personal vaporizers, mods and all other vapor products are regulated in New York. The changes that have been reported thus far include:
Changing the tobacco laws to define and regulate electronic cigarettes and vapor products the same way that tobacco products are regulated.
Limiting how electronic cigarettes can be displayed, making it illegal to showcase them in public places (the ban also intends to do this to smokeless tobacco products).
Banning the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes and e juices, aside from traditional tobacco and menthol flavors outside of specialty “tobacco bars”.
Making it illegal to sell electronic cigarettes, or any other vapor products, outside of their original packaging.
We take issue with these changes for a few reasons. Firstly, defining electronic cigarettes in the same manner that you define tobacco cigarettes is just plain illogical. They are not the same product, nor do they have the same health effects. Based on that alone we do not feel that they should be lumped in with tobacco, simply because it is easier on lawmakers. Secondly we take issue with the ban on flavors. As we said, vapor is a different product than tobacco. One of the great things about vapor is that it is available in a wide variety of flavors. The counter argument to this is that some feel that flavored vapor is meant to be marketed to minors. We disagree with this. To be honest we here at CigaretteReviews.org feel that vapor products should only be sold to adults. It is a grown up indulgence, one that is not meant for kids. We do not gear any of our electronic cigarette reviews, tips or news updates towards children, and feel that e cig vendors shouldn’t be selling to minors. In reality most of the major manufacturers and vendors around the country already limit their sales to adults. Those opposed to vapor like to bring children into the argument in order to gain attention and bring those who are on the fence about electronic cigarettes over to their side. Adults shouldn’t be denied a variety of flavors just because opponents are willing to utilize scare tactics. Another thing to point out about the electronic cigarette flavor ban in New York is that under current law no more licenses are to be sold to open up these specialized ‘tobacco bars”. This means that existing electronic cigarettes stores would have to take a huge assortment of products off of their shelves. This limits small business and works in favor of a select minority of vendors who are lucky enough to be grandfathered in to existing laws.
Lack of advocacy and education about electronic cigarettes is the main culprit behind these changes. We like to keep our eyes open for any new developments in the vapor world. If we as vapers ensure that we are informed, then we can work together to advocate regulations that are fitting, as opposed to laws that only serve to limit the availability vapor devices. Feel free to share your thoughts on this possible legislation in our comments section or to further join in the conversation with us on Facebook and Twitter.