Nassau Legislature votes unanimously to ban sale of flavored e-cigarettes

Nassau County legislators voted unanimously Monday to ban the sale of flavored electronic cigarette products.
Legislator Arnie Drucker first proposed the legislation in May. A vote was scheduled for last month, but it was postponed after lawmakers said they wanted to do more research. After hearing from people on both sides Monday night, the vote became official.
If the bill is signed into law, most flavored vaping products will not be allowed to be sold in the county.
For more than an hour, Nassau residents addressed their county Legislature, speaking out on the controversial topic of flavored e-cigarettes.
Supporters of the bill include parents, educators and health advocates who say flavored e-cigarettes target children.
In September, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order that banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes statewide, but it's currently being challenged in court.
But the vaping community says flavored e-cigarettes help adults who are addicted to cigarettes wean themselves off of nicotine. They point out that minors are already banned from purchasing e-cigarettes, yet they're using them anyway. They say another law won't stop that trend.
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran issued a statement praising the Legislature for its vote. If she signs the bill into law, it will take effect Jan. 1.