Albany County is currently considering Local Law No. “E” for 2019 that would restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products to retail stores for which a person must be aged 21 or over to enter. Tobacco products as defined in the proposed law include electronic smoking devices, cigars and cigarillos, as well as smokeless tobacco, and flavors would include all characterizing (i.e., recognizable) flavors including menthol.

The availability of tobacco products in candy and fruit flavors has fueled the popularity of little cigars and e-cigarettes among youth. In 2018, more than one in four NYS high school students used electronic smoking devices and the overall rate of youth tobacco use increased 44% since 2010 to nearly 1 in 3 high school students. Additionally, menthol makes it easier for new tobacco users to become addicted and harder for them to quit.

Read proposed Local Law No. “E”

Learn more about the impact of flavored tobacco products on youth. 
Learn more about the impact of menthol on the African American community.