New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed ban on flavored cigarettes in retail stores has attracted attention from e-cigarette manufacturers across the country. The proposal, which would restrict the sale of all cigarette flavors except menthol and tobacco in almost every location in New York City, would have a direct impact on e-cigarettes.

The Proposed Ban

Mayor Bloomberg’s proposal is targeted at limiting the appeal of cigarettes to minors, whom he feels are attracted to cigarette flavors like “bubblegum” and “chocolate.” But e-cigarettes are known for their variety of flavors, with one New York City retailer citing the coffee-flavored e-cigarette “Dark Roast” is a big draw for city dwellers.

If passed, the proposal would limit e-cigarette sales to tobacco bars, which are sparse in New York City. The city only allows tobacco bars that were in existence before 2001. In fact, there are few places in New York City to smoke indoors at all.

Kid-Friendly Flavors

The proposal is included in three bills presented to the City Council. One of those bills recently raised the minimum age to purchase cigarettes to 21, while another that asked that cigarettes be moved from displays to behind counters failed. Attentions have turned to flavored cigarettes in general in recent years out of fear that kid-friendly names like “gummy bear” might attract younger consumers.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently echoed that concern, citing a growth in the number of younger smokers. However, scientific evidence is still lacking in this area, with officials merely speculating that flavors might lead teens to smoke.

Smoking Cessation

Tobacco industry advocates like Vapestick.co.uk are calling for delineation between tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes, which contain less chemicals and can be used without nicotine. In fact, a recent study by a professor at Boston University’s School of Public Health found that e-cigarettes have helped many longtime users stop smoking altogether. Another study, published in The Lancet, found that e-cigarettes are as effective as nicotine patches in helping smokers quit.

For this reason, electronic cigarette advocates are concerned about New York City’s crackdown on cigarettes. Since the proposals have been extended to target electronic cigarettes recently, many experts have spoken out about the dangers of making e-cigarettes difficult for smokers to access. Smokers who are interested in quitting using the product will have a difficult time purchasing the items if they’re made unavailable in many convenience stores, opponents of the proposal feel, which could go against the very effects the Bloomberg administration hopes the measures will create.

“Cigarettes are the only consumer products that, when used exactly as intended, kill up to one-third of regular users,” the administration states in Section 1 of the ordinance. Opponents fear by passing laws that restrict access to e-cigarettes, the administration may drive those smokers who have switched to nicotine-free or low-nicotine doses of e-cigarettes back to smoking.

Nationwide Bans

In recent months, electronic cigarettes have been the subject of intense debate as their popularity has continued to increase. Many states are enacting laws about their use in public places and officials are calling for regulation of the devices. Currently, the federal government lacks the authority to regulate e-cigarettes, but that is expected to change soon. The FDA is expected to release guidelines soon that govern how e-cigarettes are classified, which could lead to regulation.

In addition to lack of regulation, there has also been issues with research. Many of the studies touting the negative effects of e-cigarettes have been funded by groups that are losing money now that the devices are becoming more successful. As the devices grow in popularity, many are acknowledging that they need to be tested and studied as a completely separate product from tobacco cigarettes.

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