Democrats, doctors criticize Republican majority postponement of Nassau anti-vaping bill

Nassau Democrats, doctors and families are taking Republican county legislators to task for delaying a vote on an anti-vaping bill.

As News 12 reported Monday, lawmakers held a hearing about a proposed bill that would outlaw the sale of flavored electronic cigarette products and liquid nicotine in the county.

After testimony from pro-vape advocates, who said the products help adults quit smoking, the Republican majority postponed a vote.

“Under pressure from pro-vape advocates, the majority refused to hold an up or down vote on a bill that will without a doubt save lives,” says Legislator Arnold Drucker.

The delay drew criticism from many parents, students and pediatricians. “There's dangerous chemicals in these products they're inhaling. There's formaldehyde among other chemicals and there's no long-term studies showing the very likely dangerous effects this will have in the future,” says pediatrician Dr. Eve Krief.

The debate over the bill comes as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 34 deaths in 24 states linked to electronic cigarettes or vaping.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Presiding Officer Rich Nicolello issued a statement saying, "After hearing over 3 hours of testimony at the hearing and after seeing the State's regulation challenged in court, the Majority wanted to review the proposed law to ensure it was the strongest legally defensible bill Nassau County could pass. We look forward to passing this law at our Legislative meeting in November."