Mayor de Blasio Enacts Measures to Protect Health and Save Lives

Mayor Bill de Blasio signed seven bills into law today aimed at reducing the use of dangerous tobacco products in New York City and to save lives.

The enactment of these laws will help achieve the goal of our leaders to reduce the number of smokers in New York City by 160,000 over the next three years. The City projects that this would result in a decrease in smoking rates to a historically low rate of 12 percent.

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New York Metro Government Relations Director Michael Davoli released the following statement:

“New Yorkers can begin to breathe easier after the enactment of this historic package of measures. Mayor de Blasio and the City Council have worked hard with health advocates and other experts to draft, pass and enact these life-saving measures. They have heard the stories of those who have suffered because of the use of tobacco and they are aware that tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death, taking the lives of approximately 12,000 New Yorkers annually. Mayor de Blasio and City Council Health Chair Corey Johnson have responded to an intense need to save lives and protect health. This is a major step toward Mayor de Blasio’s goal of cutting premature death by 25 percent by 2040, while dramatically reducing racial and ethnic disparities in mortality rates.

“These new laws once again show that New York City is a leader in addressing the major health risks associated with tobacco use. Smoking rates have reached record lows and our residents, workforce and visitors will continue to be protected from the dangers of second hand smoke. 

“We are especially pleased that one of the new laws will address the preponderance of tobacco retailers in our city. There are currently 8,992 licensed tobacco retailers. According to a recent report, that is five times as many as K through 12 public schools.

“We again thank Mayor de Blasio, Health Chair Johnson, and Council Members Brad Lander, Fernando Cabrera, Ritchie Torres, and James Vacca for developing this life-saving legislation.”

The bills establish a:

Minimum Tobacco Price & Non-cigarette Tobacco Tax

This bill establishes a minimum price for all tobacco products; increases the minimum price of cigarettes from $10.50 to $13; and establishes a 10 percent tax on all non-cigarette tobacco products with the revenue going toward public housing

Tobacco Retail License Cap

This bill establishes a cap on the number of licensed tobacco retail outlets at 50 percent of the current number and includes all tobacco products.

Tobacco-Free Pharmacies

This bill restricts pharmacies, or retail stores that contain pharmacies, from selling cigarettes or other tobacco products.

Retail License Fee Increase

This bill raises the biennial fee for a Cigarette Retail Dealer License from $110 to $200. This license is required to sell cigarettes directly to consumers.

Electronic Cigarette License Creation

This bill requires a license to sell electronic cigarettes, similar to the license that is currently required to sell cigarettes.

Smoking Policy Disclosure

This bill requires rental apartment buildings, as well as co-op and condo buildings, to create a smoking policy for the building. It does not dictate the contents of this policy. This policy will be required to be provided annually to tenants, and incorporated into leases and purchase agreements.

Prohibiting Smoking in Multi-dwellings

This bill prohibits smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes in common areas in multiple dwellings with fewer than ten units. These activities are already illegal in common areas in multiple dwellings with ten or more units.

About ACS CAN

ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.acscan.org.