NY mayor announces new legislation to further reduce smoking rate

– City would be first in nation to keep tobacco products out of sight

NY Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda I. Gibbs, Health Commissioner Thomas A. Farley, Finance Commissioner David Frankel and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz on Wednesday announced new legislation that builds on New York City’s success in reducing smoking rates over the last decade.
The “Tobacco Product Display Restriction” bill would make New York City the first in the nation to keep tobacco products out of sight in retail stores, with the goal of further reducing the youth smoking rate. The second bill, “Sensible Tobacco Enforcement,” is comprised of policies that will combat illegal cigarette smuggling.
Under the new legislation, sellers would be required to keep tobacco products out of sight, except during a purchase by an adult consumer or during restocking: tobacco products would be required to be kept in cabinets, drawers, under the counter, behind a curtain or in any other concealed location.
The mayor made the announcement at Queens Hospital Center where he was joined by Council Member James Gennaro, Council Member Stephen Levin, President of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Matt Myers, Vice President of Public Policy and Communications for American Lung Association of the Northeast Michael Seilback, Senior Director of Government Relations New York City, New York State and Vermont American Heart Association Robin Vitale, Deputy Director NYC Coalition for Smoke Free City Deirdre Sully, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Regional Advocacy Director Michele Bonan and Executive Director of Queens Hospital Center Julius Wool.
“New York City has dramatically lowered our smoking rate, but even one new smoker is one too many – especially when it’s a young person… Young people are targets of marketing and the availability of cigarettes and this legislation will help prevent another generation from the ill health and shorter life expectancy that comes with smoking”, said Mayor Bloomberg.
“We know that smoking is dangerous, deadly, addictive and without a single benefit,” said Deputy Mayor Gibbs. “As public health leaders we owe it to adults and young people alike to do everything we can to prevent New Yorkers from starting to smoke, and helping those who want to quit.”