New York Enacts Tobacco 21

New York Enacts Tobacco 21

ACS CAN Thanks Governor Cuomo for Signing Lifesaving Measure

ALBANY, NY- July 16, 2019 - Governor Cuomo today signed a bill into law that will prohibit the sale of tobacco products to those younger than 21. The legislation had passed the Assembly and the Senate toward the end of the legislative session. With Governor Cuomo’s signature, more than 50 percent of the nation will be protected by Tobacco 21 laws.

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New York Senior Government Relations Director Julie Hart released the following statement:

“Governor Cuomo and the state legislature have returned New York State to a position of national leadership in standing up to Big Tobacco to save lives and protect health. This measure directly addresses the stark statistic that 95 percent of smokers start before 21. Tobacco 21 is a no-brainer and will protect young people from a deadly addiction.

“We thank Governor Cuomo as well as bill sponsors Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal and Senator Diane Savino and Health Chairs, Assembymember Richard Gottfried and Senator Gustavo Rivera. We look forward to working with Governor Cuomo and both houses of the legislature to maintain New York’s leadership in saving lives.”

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.fightcancer.org.