New Yorkers are concerned about the pervasive availability of illegal flavored e-cigarettes, which continue to endanger the health and well-being of our youth. Despite New York's 2020 ban on flavored vapes, these products are pouring in from China and being sold illegally. 

Pens coming in from China are often brands and flavors that particularly appeal to young people. They pose significant public health risks due to dangerously high nicotine concentrations and unknown chemical additives.

We need the following actions to protect New York kids and teens:

• Amend State Law: Grant the Department of Taxation and Finance authority to work alongside the Department of Health in enforcing regulations against the sale of illegal flavored e-cigarettes.​
• Classify Flavored Vapor Products as Contraband: Strengthen legal definitions to categorize flavored vapes as contraband, enabling broader enforcement capabilities and allowing officers to confiscate these products from any business or shipment.​
  New York Post
• Enhance Enforcement Efforts: Allocate additional resources and support to state agencies tasked with investigating and penalizing illegal flavored vape sales, ensuring that violators are identified and prosecuted effectively.​

Gov. Hochul needs to make a decisive effort to honor the 2020 ban on flavored vape pens and get these products off of New York streets and out of the hands of our youth.