New York has effectively put in motion a new law passed earlier this year, to ban use of smokeless electronic cigarettes on indoor public premises. The ban is effective today, May 1rst, city-wide. The New York City law is part of the Smoke-Free Air Act passed by Mayor Bloomberg. The ban includes indoor public spaces such as restaurants and hotels but also includes public parks and other outdoor exceptions.
The city’s mayor is known to be very opinionated on health issues and is believed to view e-cigs and vaping as another form of smoking. Critics have been numerous and very vocal against the way the mayor is going against e-cigarette usage, in an attempt to make officials understand that no other alternative comes as useful to stop smoking tobacco. Smokeless cigarettes should not list in the Smoke-Free Air Act the mayor is enforcing.
Although certain public space banning of e-cig use is more than acceptable, public spaces such as public parks is not. Officials advise the ban has a goal to keep nicotine out of the hands of minors and we have to agree that this is a valid and real concern at this time. Vaping products altogether should be fully banned from minors and merchants have to start being inspected and regulated on selling to underage teenagers.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has just proposed a new group of laws that include and focus on keeping electronic cigarette products and vaping devices out of the hands of minors. Although this is a great step forward, the lack of federal law leaves merchants with the responsibility of doing the right thing with little oversight.
Vaping lounges are expected to be excused from the indoor ban but it is to see if any more regulations will come into play. It’s hard to tell how this will affect the city’s industry but there is little concern on the national level. We have seen a continual explosive growth in users switching from tobacco smoke to smokeless electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers. There’s no sign of that slowing down and for that reason, it’s very important that the Federal Government goes ahead and starts prohibiting sales to minors.
The market’s quick expansion requires awareness and education throughout the vaping community. In the end, responsible users are key to avoiding heavy legislation and taxes due to dangers of mishandling of nicotine products. Always store e-liquids and vaping devices away from children and never use incorrect chargers or batteries to avoid malfunctions. Be safe, vape, relax, everything will be alright.