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New York May Be First State To Ban E-Cigs
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 24, 2011
Modified Jan 24, 2011
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 24, 2011
Modified Jan 24, 2011
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Katherine Heigl and David Letterman "light up" an e-cig on air
With rising prices of cigarettes—and, you know, the health risks that come with puffing them down—some of the city's smokers have turned to e-cigarettes... but those may be banned before the real thing! CBS NY reports that New York could become the first state to ban electronic cigarettes. Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal of Manhattan says e-cigarettes need to be studied first, and currently carry no warning labels. She's concerned about the nicotine in the vapor-emitting e-cigs, and also that "most are made in China and other countries where the safety of products isn’t well regulated."
However, Hollywood actress Katherine Heigl says that e-cigarettes are perfectly fine! She even smoked one during a Letterman appearance last year (and got the host to take a few puffs as well). She explained, "You blow out water vapor so you're not harming anyone around you and you're not harming yourself. I'm essentially humidifying the space."
A discussion on New York State Assembly's bill, A01468, that would outlaw all sales of electronic cigarettes is scheduled for tomorrow. The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association (CASAA) supports a ban on sales to minors, but says “Banning e-cigarette sales to adults also would deny smokers in New York the opportunity to switch to a safer alternative."
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e-cigarettes
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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