Legislation of the Week: NYS Senate Bill 195

NYS Senate Bill 195
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting the sale of vape products that resemble school supplies

Senator Monica Martinez’s (D-4) Bill 195 would change New York public health law to prohibit the sale of vape products that are designed to look like school supplies or any product packaging tailored to the youth population. According to the bill memo, many products, including, “e-cigarettes and vapes that resemble toys, electronic devices, and school supplies such as markers, highlighters, ballpoint pens and thumb drives” are applicable to the sale ban. The bill memo does not specify the punishment for selling vape products that resemble school supplies. Bill S195 has moved pass the senate health committee and will be voted on in this upcoming legislative session. If this bill passes, it will be effective immediately. Bill S195 has a staggering nine co-sponsors — five being republican senators.

Bill S195 addresses the major issue of vaping products appealing to the youth — which includes removing it from educational settings. The FDA has sent over “15 letters to online retailers” warning them of the dangers behind selling vape products that resemble school supplies. The bill’s justification section claims that “a younger person is more likely to become addicted to nicotine products as their brains are still developing.” Additionally, a student attending New Rochelle High School had a “near death incident” after their vape pen was laced with fentanyl.