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Nearly 20 years ago, a U.S. Federal District judge found that the major cigarette manufacturers violated civil racketeering laws for deliberately defrauding the public.
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Gov. Signs Bills to Protect Kids from E-Cigs, Secondhand Smoke
September 5, 2012
Statement from Russ Sciandra, NYS Director of Advocacy, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network re: new laws that protect kids from e-cigarettes and ban smoking near schools.
“Gov. Cuomo acted twice today in the best interests of New York’s children by signing bills that protect kids’ health.
By approving a bill to prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to children, the Governor ensured kids will no longer be able to purchase e-cigarettes, a nicotine delivery device that can serve as a gateway to lower-priced traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes are marketed as a ‘safe alternative’ to tobacco and are sold in fruit and candy flavors that appeal to youth. Because of poor quality control in their manufacture, there are many unknowns about e-cigarettes. Among our many concerns is that some e-cigarettes have been shown to contain cancer-causing ingredients, toxic chemicals and anti-freeze, substances to which no one, especially kids, should be exposed.
To protect students and adults from secondhand smoke on school grounds, tobacco use has been prohibited on school grounds for many years. A second bill signed by the Governor expands that prohibition to provide a ring of safety around school entrances where students are known to congregate. It will enable school administrators to protect children by controlling student and adult smoking near, but not on, school grounds.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network thanks Gov. Cuomo for signing these bills into law. We also recognize the legislative sponsors for their hard work on this issue.”
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About the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
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.fightcancer.org.
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