News / Articles

20% vapor tax will dissuade smokers from quitting
YS Legislature passed the NYS 2019-2020 Budget. Initially it included common sense regulations encouraged by New York State Vapor Association (NYSVA) which would have ensured stricter identification check in stores and online, State approved training courses for tobacco and vapor product license holders and significantly higher fines for selling to minors. These regulations were intended to reduce sales of vapor products to youth. Most were removed from the final version of the budget.

Read more...

West Chazy, NY, January 12, 2019... Saturday, Governor Cuomo announced restrictions on e-cigarettes and vapor products in his proposed 2019 New York State Budget, in an effort to stem use by minors. Included in these proposals are, raising the age of sale to 21; licensing retailers; ending sales at pharmacies; clarifying the Health Department's ability to ban certain flavors; restricting display and packaging to adult-only stores; restricting discounts offered by manufacturers and retailers.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Saturday he is proposing to raise the minimum sales age for tobacco and electronic cigarette products from 18 to 21 in his 2019 executive budget.

It is part of proposed legislation that also would end the sale of tobacco and e-cigarette products in pharmacies and clarifies the state Health Department's authority to ban the sale of certain flavored e-cigarette liquids.

SMITHTOWN - December 13, 2018 Lawmakers in Suffolk County are pushing to stop vape shops from targeting underage customers through the sale of fruit-flavored liquid for e-cigarettes.
If the measure is passed, vape and other shops would only be allowed to sell tobacco-, mint- or menthol-flavored e-liquid...

Former smokers may begin smoking again if flavored e-cigarette ban passes in Suffolk County, NY
SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y., Dec. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Suffolk County Legislature is moving at breakneck speed to pass a local law prohibiting the sale of flavored vapor products. The proposal, which would only permit the sale of vapor products in tobacco, menthol, and mint flavors, will be debated in the health committee December 13, with a full vote possible as early as December 18.

Tobacco stocks are rallying the most in a decade following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s announcement that it’s cracking down on e-cigarettes in an effort to combat youth vaping.

Tobacco stocks surge as FDA announces crackdown on e-cigarette companies over teen use

Tobacco stocks surged after regulators threatened to pull e-cigarettes from shelves if manufacturers do not control "widespread" teen use.
The FDA is specifically ordering five brands — Juul, Vuse, MarkTen, Blu E-cigs, and Logic — to submit plans within 60 days detailing how the companies will prevent teens from using their products.
While British American Tobacco and Altria own two of the brands targeted in Wednesday's announcement, the companies are asking the FDA to review new "heat-not-burn" products.

Read more...

July 6, 2018...Vaping Post: "For the New York State Vapor Association (NYSVA), there appears to be a never-ending battle against the anti-vape establishment anytime the state of New York is an area of concern within the vape community.

In the recent past, they have accomplished more than most state groups, all on their own. However, given the intensity of our current economic climate, garnering support from other industry influencers outside of NY has become undoubtedly necessary and thus far, very efficient."

July 6, 2018..."Legendary Basketball Coach John Wooden has been famously quoted in the past, for saying, “Character is more important than reputation.” When considering the validity behind this expression, some people may beg to differ, but even in these modern times, it remains true.

Furthermore, whenever the vape industry seems to be the target of restrictive state legislation, the NYSVA equipped with active advocates and an experienced lobbyist to disrupt any unnecessary regulatory overreach."

June 16, 2018: "When reflecting on the past 3 years, it has been a top priority to closely follow and willingly cover the relentless drama and controversy the NYSVA is forced to lead a defense against. In fact, for any writers who participate in researching this industry, it is absolutely a duty to highlight these particular events including the NYSVA.

Generally speaking, to simply summarize their contribution with a brief and witty anecdote to the vape culture may not be the most accurate to fulfill the entire scope of the discipline and passion NYSVA embodies..."

June 29, 2018, West Chazy, NY — The New York State Vapor Association (NYSVA), a trade association representing vapor product businesses across the state of New York, is proud to announce that it has joined the national trade organization, the Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association (SFATA), as an Affiliated Independent Group (AIG)... Read more.

NYSVA worked strategically to defeat Tobacco 21 in Monroe County, NY. Learn how it happened...

The vaping community has much to celebrate today as the state of New York agrees to table proposed legislation prohibiting the sales of flavored e-liquids statewide...

June 21, 2018, Vape News

When the New York State Senate banged it’s final gavel for the current session this morning, the state’s vapers breathed a sigh of relief...

The state of New York is literally attempting to pass a statewide ban o eLiquid flavors. This is not the first time, but the Assembly Members are closer than ever before to acquiring what they need to have a flavor ban legislation become a reality. The leading advocacy group of NYSVA Defends Vaper Rights and attempts to continue their education campaign in order to allow the NY State Assembly members to understand just what is at stake and how much this would devastate the NY economy.

Fellow NY Vapers, we are very happy to announce that the vapor language has been TOTALLY REMOVED from the Governor's Budget Bill!

Defeating the NY state budget was a big deal - bigger than many seemed to have first thought. It was an event considered victorious for advocates not only on a NY state level but also a multi-state level. With the NYSVA initially negotiating the removal of all Vapor Language, New York escaped a 40% tax hike - a form of govt. intrusion some states have unfortunately been unable to avoid.

As state lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo back efforts to regulate vaporizing products like e-cigarettes in New York, the industry is stepping up its efforts to push back.

The New York State Vapor Association on Wednesday in a statement pointed to a study casting doubt on whether there is sufficient research to suggest e-cigarettes have a negative health impact. The report does not appear to suggest that using an e-cigarette is safe.

West Chazy, NY, January 24, 2018...This week, The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine released a congressionally mandated Consensus Study Report titled “Public Health Consequences of E-Cigarettes.” By analyzing available research studies, this landmark report shows the potential for e-cigarettes to deliver a positive net public health benefit.

In the brief two weeks the NY legislature has been back in session, we are once again targeted with an onslaught of proposed bills that would be damaging to vapor businesses and impede the use of vapor products in the state.

We'd like to thank all those that came out yesterday to testify and oppose the Tobacco 21 legislation in Onondaga County.

Everyone in the room had an opportunity to address County Executive, Joanne Mahoney as she was very inviting, respectful, and open minded. The 17 voices in the room in favor or against Tobacco 21 resulted in a no decision, as she'll need time to review and make an educated decision.

West Chazy, NY, September 18, 2017...The New York State Vapor Association (NYSVA.org) is pleased to present the first-ever business to business conference in New York State, "NYSVA's Inaugural Industry Conference." The event will take place Thursday, October 26 -Friday October 27, 2017, at the Maplewood Suites, Liverpool, NY, just outside of Syracuse.

NYSVA's New York Minute...On Thursday, August 3, the members of New York State Vapor Association voted unanimously on a Statement of Principles for member companies. Among them are "No cartoons or child appealing packaging (defined by images of children's toys, children, or cartoon characters" and "No use of flavor names or images that are trademarked/copyrighted."

New York Post...The biggest loser of the City Council's crackdown on e-cigarettes this week? New Yorkers' health.

NYSVA's New York Minute...You've seen what happens in states with onerous regulations. Taxes in Pennsylvania forced the closing of 1/3 of the vape shops within the first 5 months. California's tax law just went into effect but it can be sure many businesses will not survive. San Francisco's flavor ban is being pushed in many municipalities, and will likely creep throughout the US, including New York State where it has already be introduced.

NYSVA's New York Minute... Two weeks before the close of session, NYSVA's lobbyist got a call from the sponsor of the Clean Indoor Air Act. He explained that he had agreed to a major amendment to the CIAA -- vaping was no longer defined as smoking. This was very unusual and truly welcome. In more than 100 meetings we had in Albany this spring, we expressed over and over again that vaping is NOT smoking, and should be defined differently!

NYSVA's New York Minute...Early in the year, Congressman Chris Collins signed on as a co-sponsor of HR 1136, the Cole-Bishop sponsored bill that would move the predicate date and allow vapor products currently on the market to remain, without having to submit an onerous pre-market application.

NYSVA's New York Minute...As we predicted, after the vapor language was removed from Governor's Budget Bill, there was a seemingly never ending deluge of anti-vaping stand-along bills introduced...mostly by the typical players -- Assemblymember Rosenthal and Senator Hannon.

WGRZ.com, Albany... Electronic cigarettes and other vapor products will likely be banned from bars, restaurants and indoor workplaces after the state Senate approved the measure late Monday.

WIVB.com, Buffalo... A proposal that restricts where e-cigarettes can be inhaled appears to be well on its way to becoming a new state law...

NYSVA's New York Minute... This evening, the New York State Senate voted to include vaping in the Clean Indoor Air Act immediately after the Assembly had revised their version which had passed earlier this month and we expect it will be signed by the governor shortly. This was very unusual...

The Huffington Post... The University of Michigan’s “Monitoring the Future” survey indicates that teen smoking rates are continuing a steady decline and are lower now than any time in the 42 years since the National Institute of Drug Abuse began sponsoring the survey...

NY Daily News... Health advocates are launching a last ditch effort to get the GOP-controlled state Senate to approve tougher restrictions on the use of electronic cigarettes, The Daily News has learned...

Vaping Post... The NY State Assembly Hearing held on May 17th included some of the most refreshing comments from Republican Politicians announcing proven facts and using scientific research data to support their arguments in favor of Vapor products. It was clearly groundbreaking in reference to the ways in which American Politics routinely operates.

New York Post...Hypocrisy has reached new heights, even by Washington’s standards. The same left-wing senators who support needle-exchange and methadone programs to reduce harm to drug addicts and demand condoms for high-schoolers are waging war against the most effective harm reducer of all — e-cigarettes.

Vaping Post... Once again, to reiterate how groundbreaking this scenario is that we see described in the title. Please allow this explanation of the above title to provide justification for just how groundbreaking the situation truly is: REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS were actually being forthright and genuine in their reasoning on May 17th during a debate about vaping devices at the NY State Assembly. Truthfulness, honesty and accurate statistics are all often entirely absent in any political forum throughout the United States.

Vaping Post... A Vape Industry Professional in New York, who is no stranger to constantly battling proposed government legislation in his state, recently provided Vaping Post with comments on a NY State Assembly Hearing held on May 17th. The statement he provided was just as significantly accurate as it was slightly comical.

NYSVA's New York Minute... In May, NYSVA sent board members David Barry and Spike Babaian to Washington DC to attend the first E-Cig Summit in the United States.

Watertown Daily Times...How is it that the Royal College of Physicians in the United Kingdom is publishing 200-page studies proving that electronic cigarettes are 95 percent less harmful than smoking, yet our own Food and Drug Administration here in the United States is enacting strict regulations that will effectively kill the entire industry?

NYSVA's New York Minute... While the budget bill was being debated at the capital, the NY State Health Commissioner wrote a warning letter to physicians urging them NOT to recommend e-cigarettes to their smoking patients. In response to the egregious statements made in his letter, NYSVA issued a point-by-point counter argument in a letter to the New York Department of Health.

Niagara Gazette... With state lawmakers kicking around the idea of placing new restrictions on the use of vapor products, local vape shop owners are fearful for their futures.

With state lawmakers kicking around the idea of placing new restrictions on the use of vapor products, local vape shop owners are fearful for their futures.

Vaping Post... Health organizations and lawmakers in New York State, are launching a stronger effort to ban vaping in public places, where smoking is already prohibited.

The Buffalo News... The state is considering regulating e-cigarettes like other tobacco products.

People craving a nicotine fix via vaping soon may be scrambling to find places to light up in New York.People craving a nicotine fix via vaping soon may be scrambling to find places to light up in New York.

NY Daily News... State Assembly Democrat Linda Rosenthal e-cigarette users infringe on the rights of others with “noxious vapors”

The New York Times...Like so many entrepreneurs who have opened vaping shops lately, Stephen D’Angelo was a heavy smoker who finally kicked nicotine after switching to electronic cigarettes, which he viewed as a healthier — and less smelly — alternative.

The Vaping Post... The State of New York Removes all of the Vapor Language from their Annual Budget

NYSVA's New York Minute... In April, NYSVA was pleased to have our Technical Analysis Director, Spike Babaian, invited by the FDA to speak on behalf of vape shop owners during their information-gathering workshop on battery safety.

NYSVA's New York Minute... If you don't think we work for your right to keep your business, you've never sat in a room for 5 hours listening to your leaders lie about you and then bless you with 3 minutes to defend the industry after all but one councilman has left. That's why a working, sustained strategy is so important.

The Wall Street Journal... New York City’s mayor is the black market’s best friend.

WSYR-TV, Tompkins County... In Tompkins County, not everyone is happy with a proposed law that would prohibit selling tobacco products to people 21 and under as that plan also includes e-cigarettes.

NYSVA's New York Minute... Michael Frennier, President spoke tonight at Tompkins County Meeting to address pending legislation to raise the age to vape/smoke to 21.

The Daily Caller... Democrats pushing for new taxes and restrictions on electronic cigarettes suffered a major defeat in New York over the weekend after lawmakers stripped new vaping rules from the state budget at the last minute.

NY Daily News... Cuomo’s proposals were mysteriously left out of the budget approved by the Senate and Assembly over the weekend.

LoHud - The Journal News... Last month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers were poised to include electronic cigarettes in the state's ban on smoking in restaurants, workplaces and other public, indoor spaces.

Then they didn't.

Vaping Post... The NYSVA to inform us that the budget has been revised to show that ALL the vapor regulation language is now entirely absent from the 2017-2018 NY state budget proposal, not even a tax increase remained.

NYSVA's New York Minute...Introduced in February, Governor Cuomo's omnibus budget bill (in the three versions from the assembly, senate and the governor) included language that would have drastically damaged the vapor industry in NY. It included an expansion of the Clean Indoor Air Act (with no carve-out for vape shops); a fine for transporting more than 100mls of e-liquid, and a 10cents per ml tax in both the senate and governors versions, and a 40cent per ml tax in the assembly's bill. Also hidden in the assembly's version was Tobacco21 language that would raise the age to purchase vapor products as well as cigarettes.

New York Post... Gov. Cuomo’s Department of Health last week released survey data that he’s using to bolster his case for a $12 tax on 30 ml bottles of vaping liquids and a ban on vaping indoors. Yet the survey data — and much other evidence — undercut his case.

NYSVA's New York Minute...Buried in Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal are taxes and regulations so onerous, they would close hundreds of vape shops across New York according to the New York State Vapor Association (NYSVA).

by David Goerlitz...Having been involved in the Vaping Community for several years I feel compelled to show my support for the New York State Vapor Association and their leaders.

The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary... New York State Department of Health Urges Physicians to Discourage Patients from Quitting Unless They Use Big Pharma Products and Tells Vapers They Might as Well Go Back to Smoking

NY Daily News... A state lawmaker from Manhattan plans to introduce legislation this week banning the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes in New York.

NYSVA's New York Minute...Dickinson & Avella, PLLC to Represent New York State vapor Association (NYSVA) in Albany

Buffalo.edu... A recent study at the University of Buffalo indicates that the "gateway" theory is flawed and that smokers shouldn't be discouraged from using vapor products.

NYSVA's New York Minute... Included in Governor Cuomo's 2017 budget proposal is a plan to tax and regulate vapor products in NY state.