Prohibits the sale of any vapor or tobacco products containing the substance N-Ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide, which creates a cooling sensation similar to menthol.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1709
SPONSOR: Rosenthal TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting the
sale of any vapor or tobacco products containing the substance N-Ethyl-
p-menthane-3-carboxamide
PURPOSE:
This bill prohibits the use of additives intended to create a menthol-
like effect in e-cigarettes and tobacco products.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amends subdivision one of section 1399-mm-1 of the public
health law.
Section two establishes the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
As smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United
States, New York State has taken many steps to protect young people from
becoming addicted to flavored tobacco and e-cigarette products, includ-
ing menthol products.
As more states followed suit, tobacco companies crafted a way to circum-
vent these bans by adding ingredients to their products to create a
"cooling" sensation that mimics menthol. In California, R.J. Reynolds,
the manufacturer of brands. like Camel, Newport and Pall Mall, has
switched to using additives that provide the same sensation, though
without mint flavor. Despite not containing any flavor, the packaging
has been designed to give consumers the same impression of "refreshing"
sensation that customers have learned to associated with menthol-fla-
vored products. This bill will help to prevent manufacturers from
circumventing New York's law banning the sale of flavored.vapor
products.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: A.4932 - Referred to Health
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.
