New York state has officially moved to ban flavored e-cigarettes, with a health panel acting after a push from Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The Public Health and Health Planning Council unanimously approved the measure to outlaw the flavored e-cigarettes, which critics say appeal to children.
"It is undeniable that vaping companies are deliberately using flavors like bubblegum, Captain Crunch and cotton candy to get young people hooked on e-cigarettes - it's a public health crisis and it ends today," Governor Cuomo said in a statement.
Retailers will have a two week grace period to comply with the ban before they begin facing fines. Enforcement of the ban will begin on October 4.
"New York is not waiting for the federal government to act, and by banning flavored e-cigarettes we are safeguarding the public health and helping prevent countless young people from forming costly, unhealthy and potentially deadly life-long habits," Cuomo said.
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