It has been more than 70 days since the New York State Legislature passed Tobacco 21, a common-sense measure that will make a big impact on tobacco use rates among teens. New York likes to be a leader when it comes to public health, but right now we’re falling behind. Fifteen states have signed Tobacco 21 into law. Unfortunately, we aren’t one of them. As a resident of New York, a parent and grandparent, I’m eager to see this law signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo without further delay.
Tobacco use continues to be the leading preventable cause of heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of mortality nationwide. Because nearly nine out of 10 cigarette smokers first try smoking by age 18, and 95 percent by age 21, prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 21 is a great way to delay and ultimately prevent addiction.
With youth use rates of nicotine-packed e-cigarettes higher than ever, and evidence suggesting that teenagers using e-cigarettes are six to eight times more likely to move on to using traditional tobacco products, signing Tobacco 21 into law cannot wait.
This is New York’s chance to prevent future generations from picking up a tobacco product. I look forward to seeing Tobacco 21 signed by Gov. Cuomo into law once and for all.
Dr. Russell Schiff
Director — Ambulatory Pediatric Cardiology
Northwell Health
President — Long Island American Heart Association Board of Directors
