Vape stores are proliferating everywhere in our community — selling a wide range of devices that allow teens to purchase vape products and vape without detection. These products look identical to highlighters, juice boxes, phone cases, smart watches and jump drives. Research has shown it is easier for underage youth to purchase vaping products than other tobacco products and it’s 35% less likely to trigger an ID request.
In December of 2018, the U.S. Surgeon General declared youth E-cigarette use an “epidemic.” Since that time, both state and local governments have been working to respond by redefining their regulations and laws concerning youth access to vaping products and the vape stores. Sadly, in 2024, this epidemic continues. According to the CDC, E-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students in the US and 1.63 million students currently use E-cigarettes.
I have introduced bills to stem the tide of vaping amongst our children. I’ve called for: E-cigarette and vaping prevention programs be used by all schools (A9952); the prohibiting of vapor products and cannabis retail dealer storefronts in certain locations (A8069); the registration of vape products dealers with the Department of Health and local municipalities (LBD 11877-01-3); the revocation of licenses and registrations for the knowing and unlawful sale of cannabis (LBD 11876-01-3) ; and the prohibiting of the sale of camouflaged E-cigarettes (A8952).
On the local level, I have worked with the Huntington Town Board and Town Attorney to modify the Town Code to crack down on vape stores and I’m very pleased that the Town is prepared, on October 8, to again revise the code to make it tougher for vape stores to be situated within 500 feet of the property lines of parks, playgrounds, schools or places of worship. The Town has also clearly defined the meaning of “vape shop” so that it is not left to interpretation. Just recently, in Huntington, the Suffolk County Police Department made arrests in connection with vape shops selling tobacco and vape products to underage individuals. As reported in Patch, ten businesses were checked for compliance of the law, and half failed. The Suffolk County Legislature has also passed legislation banning the sale of camouflage vaping products, sponsored by Legislator Jim Mazzarella, and I have introduced similar legislation in the Assembly with New York State Senator Monica Martinez.
I strongly believe that measures like those I have proposed in Albany and the ones the Town of Huntington are taking are necessary and I will continue to fight in Albany and on the local level to ensure that vaping is not within easy access to our children. We know it’s an epidemic and we should do whatever we can to stop it!
Hon. Keith P. Brown
Member of the Assembly
12th Assembly District
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