NYACS Celebrates Wins, Losses for New York Budget
The association successfully blocked a proposed tobacco products display ban and an expanded bottle bill, but a separate bill would raise the tobacco purchase age to 21.
Apr 03, 2019
ALBANY, N.Y. – On March 31, the New York legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo finalized a state budget containing a new tax on vaping products, harsh new penalties for underage sales of e-cigarettes and a statewide ban on plastic bags.
However, the New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS) blocked a proposed tobacco-products display ban and expansion of the state’s bottle bill to non-carbonated beverages. “The governor’s proposal to ban displays of tobacco products in convenience stores was rejected, thanks to pushback by NYACS members,” the association said in a press release.
A separate bill approved by the General Assembly earlier, and passed by the Senate this week, will elevate the tobacco buying age to 21. Gov. Cuomo is expected to sign the bill soon.
NYACS strongly opposed a new tax on vaping products, which will take effect Dec. 1, because “it will spur black-market activity.” Meanwhile, a ban on plastic carryout bags in retail stores was approved, effective March 1, 2020, along with authorization for cities and counties to levy a 5-cent tax on paper bags. The plastic bag ban has numerous exemptions, including SNAP and WIC recipients, trash bags, food storage bags and restaurant/tavern carryout bags.
Tobacco
