New York bans e-cigarettes in workplaces

E-Cigarette/Electronic Cigarette/E-Cigs/E-Liquid/Vaping/Cloud Chasing (Vaping360/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

NEW YORK — Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vaping are being banned in bars, restaurants and most workplaces in the US state of New York under a new law that takes effect in 30 days.

“These products are marketed as a healthier alternative to cigarettes but the reality is they also carry long-term risks to the health of users and those around them,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo in a news release after he signed the legislation on Monday, adding electronic cigarettes to the Clean Indoor Air Act which bans their use everywhere that smoking tobacco products are prohibited.

“This measure closes another dangerous loophole in the law, creating a stronger, healthier New York for all,” Cuomo said.

New York joins a growing list of US states, such as California, Connecticut and New Jersey, that has banned vaping in indoor public spaces such as bars and restaurants, in much the same way they restrict smoking.

In July, Cuomo signed a legislation that immediately banned the use of e-cigarettes on all public and private school grounds in the Empire state.

Electronic nicotine and vapor delivery systems such as e-cigarettes, vaping pens, e-hookah and similar devices, typically contain nicotine. Some ingredients found in e-cigarettes are considered toxic and there is no regulation of what chemicals e-cigarettes contain and how much nicotine the user is inhaling. These factors could lead to long-term adverse health effects for e-cigarette users and bystanders. (Xinhua)