NY lawmakers hold public hearing to decide fate of vaping products

New York state lawmakers heard from health experts, students and vaping industry officials as they held a public hearing in Manhattan on the potential harmful effects of vaping.

News 12 Staff

Nov 5, 2019, 12:35 AM

Updated 1,644 days ago

Share:

New York state lawmakers heard from health experts, students and vaping industry officials as they held a public hearing in Manhattan on the potential harmful effects of vaping.

The lawmakers are looking to regulate or ban vaping products. This comes after Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed a ban on flavored electronic cigarettes in September. He says they entice kids to start vaping.

In October, state Sen. Kevin Thomas proposed banning the sale of all e-liquids.

State Sen. Brad Hoylman agrees with the regulation plans, saying at the hearing, "I think these devices should be removed from the market and wait until FDA approval."

Cheryl Richter from the NYS Vapor Association, which represents 700 vape shops across the state, says she disagrees. "Removing any product from the market and making the less harmful alternative not available anymore will lead to further death," she said.

Vape shop owners say the plan would hurt their bottom line. They say 75% of their business is selling e-liquids.

Matt Flax, owner of Vaporville in Hicksville, says all his products are FDA-approved and have warning labels and ingredients listed on them. He says he fears that if lawmakers ban these e-liquids, people will get it on the black market with unknown ingredients.

"If we ban the refillable flavors, we're going to create that epidemic where people are making things in their bathtub, in their kitchen sinks— we're going to create much more serious health problems," Flax says.

Since March, the CDC says 38 people have died nationwide and 1,800 people were sickened from vaping-related illnesses. No single ingredient has been linked to all the illnesses.


More from News 12
0:22
Police: Driver wanted in fatal New Cassel hit-and-run

Police: Driver wanted in fatal New Cassel hit-and-run

1:08
Chance of showers today with a high near 67 degrees

Chance of showers today with a high near 67 degrees

2:04
Glen Cove Hospital to hold clap-in for nurses to kick off National Nurses Week

Glen Cove Hospital to hold clap-in for nurses to kick off National Nurses Week

0:39
$400 million boost in federal funds coming for security at places of worship

$400 million boost in federal funds coming for security at places of worship

2:23
Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Massapequa Park

Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Massapequa Park

0:19
Loop Parkway to close overnight for the next two weeks for construction

Loop Parkway to close overnight for the next two weeks for construction

1:05
Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Forgotten Friends of Long Island on May 6

Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Forgotten Friends of Long Island on May 6

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

1:53
Long Island's Jewish communities pause and reflect on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Long Island's Jewish communities pause and reflect on Holocaust Remembrance Day

2:14
Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

1:34
2nd annual Long Island Jewish Film Festival celebrated at Cinema Arts Center in Huntington

2nd annual Long Island Jewish Film Festival celebrated at Cinema Arts Center in Huntington

0:23
Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

0:50
Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

0:24
Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

0:27
Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

0:45
Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

1:50
‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

0:53
Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

2:15
EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst