New York raises minimum age for cigarette sales

Starting next week, it will be possible to buy tobacco or electronic cigarettes in New York only after reaching 21 year. This publication writes 4 New York.

This is due to the fact that from November 13 of the current year, the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products and electronic cigarettes in New York State is increasing from 18 years to 21 years.

Such a measure is ensured by the law passed earlier this year, recalled in the office of State Governor Andrew Cuomo.

“We are taking active steps to make sure that the progress made over the decades in the fight against tobacco dependence has not been canceled by the sharp increase in the use of electronic cigarettes among young New Yorkers,” Cuomo said.

According to the Ministry of Health, released by the governor’s office, 40% of students in 12 classes and 27% of state high school students use electronic cigarettes.

Despite the fact that smoking levels in New York High School fell to a record low (4,3% in 2016 year), officials said, the aggressive promotion of flavored electronic cigarettes in marketing began to replace the use of these products.

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Teens are offered a range of flavors such as chewing gum, cherry cola and mint chocolate, which creates “confidence that these products are not harmful to users,” the report said.

The Cuomo Office also said the state police are working with the Department of Health to conduct secret investigations throughout the state. Since July, 1700 such inspections have been conducted outside of New York.

Now, the source notes, retailers should remember that selling tobacco and electronic cigarettes to minors will be subject to criminal penalties in addition to civil ones.