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Vaping banned from public parks in Albany NY

Following the several harsh vaping regulations that have been popping up in New York State in the recent months, the state’s capital has approved a legislation that will ban e-cigarette use in county-owned parks and recreational areas.

Diane Caruana

May 11, 2017

The use of cigarettes, tobacco products, liquid nicotine and also electronic cigarettes, will be banned at Lawson Lake County Park, the county Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail and the Ann Lee Pond Nature and Historic Preserve, according to Local Law “A”.

Data has shown that such harsh regulations and misinformation about e-cigarettes may prevent millions of smokers from making the switch to the proven safer alternatives, possibly costing them their lives.

“The intent of the law is to reduce secondhand smoke, particularly for our youth who are using our recreational areas,” said Paul Miller, the Democratic Legislator who introduced the law. “Additionally, I expect it will help reduce some of the litter that is being left – cigarette butts and other products – which can be harmful to wildlife and pets.”

Last year, Albany legislators raised the legal age to purchase “tobacco products” in the county from 18 to 21, and prior to that, Albany County had banned vaping in restaurants, bars and workplaces. Those who do not observe this latest law would be facing a $50 fine, and a $200 to $500 fine for each subsequent violation.

The danger in regulating e-cigs as tobacco products

Legislators and government agencies who are in favour of such bans boast about the fact that New York State has some of the harshest vaping regulations within the US. Yet many public health experts agree that regulating vaping products in the same as their combustible counterparts will prove detrimental. Data has shown that such harsh regulations and misinformation about the products may prevent millions of smokers from making the switch to the proven safer alternatives, possibly costing them their lives.