Email response from Suffolk Co, NY

[TheLizinator]

I received this response from Steve Levy, Suffolk County today:

August 28, 2009
Dear Constituent:

Thank you for taking the time to contact my office regarding proposed legislation to ban the use of electronic cigarettes in Suffolk County. The concerns of all constituents are of the utmost importance to me. It may interest you to know that the proposed ban that would prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in public buildings has been modified and is now directed toward the sale and use of electronic cigarettes to and by minors. Given this significant change in the proposal, I am looking at the bill in a more favorable light. However, you may rest assured I will bear your thoughts in mind if and when this legislation should reach my desk.

I hope this information helps clarify my position on this issue. Please feel free to contact my office in the future if I may be of assistance.


Sincerely,
Steve Levy
County Executive



SL:lg

 

[NY JETS]

So it's been changed?

 

[SLDS181]

Yeah, happened pretty quickly after it was "passed". It still isn't in effect, it will have to be signed by Steve Levy, who obviously has reservations about banning its use.

 

[TheLizinator]

So it's been changed?

Looks like--and definitely for the better! Hope things continue to improve for Suffolk County vapers!

Liz

 

[Niniane]

It still contains an amendment to the smoking code which makes e cigarettes the equivalent of tobacco cigarettes. This means that if the legislation is signed into law, PV's would not be banned outright (yet), but people would only be allowed to use them in areas where tobacco cigarette smoking is allowed.

 

[mpetva]

I received this response from Steve Levy, Suffolk County today:

August 28, 2009
Dear Constituent:

Thank you for taking the time to contact my office regarding proposed legislation to ban the use of electronic cigarettes in Suffolk County. The concerns of all constituents are of the utmost importance to me. It may interest you to know that the proposed ban that would prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in public buildings has been modified and is now directed toward the sale and use of electronic cigarettes to and by minors. Given this significant change in the proposal, I am looking at the bill in a more favorable light. However, you may rest assured I will bear your thoughts in mind if and when this legislation should reach my desk.

I hope this information helps clarify my position on this issue. Please feel free to contact my office in the future if I may be of assistance.

Sincerely,
Steve Levy
County Executive

While this does sound positive, it was being said by a politician...so what exactly does the bill say now?

 

[SLDS181]

It still contains an amendment to the smoking code which makes e cigarettes the equivalent of tobacco cigarettes. This means that if the legislation is signed into law, PV's would not be banned outright (yet), but people would only be allowed to use them in areas where tobacco cigarette smoking is allowed.

Thats not what was alluded to in previous emails we've seen.

Where are you seeing this that that bit is still in there?

 

[Niniane]

http://legis.suffolkcountyny.gov/Resos2009/i1347-09.pdf

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to ban the sale of e-cigarettes and like
products in Suffolk County to persons under the age of 19 and to prohibit the use of e-cigarettes​

and like products in public places where traditional forms of smoking are already disallowed.

Section 4. Amendment.​

Chapter 437 of the SUFFOLK COUNTY CODE is hereby amended as follows:​

Chapter 437, SMOKING​

* * * *​

§ 437-2. Definitions.​

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BAR or TAVERN -- Any indoor area open to the public devoted to the sale and service of
alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption regardless of the quantity of food served to
patrons for on-premises consumption.
E-CIGARETTE – Shall mean any electronic device composed of a mouthpiece, heating
element, battery and electronic circuits that provides a vapor of liquid nicotine and/or other
substances mixed with propylene glycol to the user as he or she simulates smoking. This term​

4​

shall include such devices whether they are manufactured as e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes or
under any other product name.
* * * *
SMOKING -- The combustion of any cigar, cigarette, tobacco or any similar article or any other
combustible substance in any manner or in any form or the heating or ignition of an e-cigarette
which creates a vapor.
* * * *​

 

[SLDS181]

Thanks for the link. Time for a follow up email to Mr. Levy.

 

[Niniane]

I emailed him this on the 21st, but have received no reply so far.


"Firstly, I'd like to say I am 100% in favor of legislation to prevent minors from purchasing and using these devices, and in fact most PV users find this a commendable and necessary goal. However, the banning of e-cigarette use in public buildings is still included in the legislation. I have copied and attached the relevant amendment below. Please do not allow this piece of legislation to slide an unjustified ban in with the justified age restriction. The two issues are seperate and should be treated as such. Thank you so much for looking into the details, and we hope you take the opportunity to make an appropriate and rational decision on each of these two topics.

Sincerely, "

 

[opuscroakus]

Removed because I was stupid for posting. Sorry.

 

[SLDS181]

Absolutely, but don't post it

Revisions were apparently made based on posts here already

 

[aditas]

Well there was the problem. You agreed with him in regards to restricting sales to minors? Why?
What would the harm be if minors used this product. I know of plenty of fat kids that would lay off the snacks if they had something like this to suck on.

 

[eplanet]

Electronic Cigarette Association Urges Congress to Make E-Cigarettes Illegal to Those Under the Legal Smoking Age - Business Wire - fresnobee.com

 

[aditas]

Sonofa..... whyyyyy? Why do we need to take steps backwards. Do you have proof that it is harmful to kids. They need to provide proof that they are harmful in order to restrict sales.

 

[Thulium]

You should point out to your representative that chewing nicotine polacrilex laced gum produces a (albeit invisible) vapor as well. In order to make it more difficult for kids to become addicted to fruit and candy flavored *ahem* GUM, should we also prohibit the sale of smoking cessation programs to people under the age of 18...and make everybody go to the designated smoking area to use them??

A big part of the problem is that most people do not understand the difference between vapor and smoke...and so they assume that because vapor LOOKS like smoke, it is also inherently dangerous. We know this is not true, but we aren't helping anyone if this misconception is made into law.