Vaping In Nassau County Parks Could Be Banned

FREEPORT, NY — A Nassau County lawmaker is trying to ban e-cigarettes and vaping in most sections of county-owned parks as the number of mysterious vaping-related illnesses nationwide climbed to more than 1,000.

Legislator Debra Mulé, a Freeport Democrat, introduced the legislation Friday. She blasted the e-cigarette industry, which she said was initially billed as a safer alternative to smoking but has led to "untold harm and even death."

Lawmakers are now forced to "play catch-up" in addressing the crisis, she said, noting the legislation would lead to cleaner air for nonsmokers and less litter.

"This is just one more tool in our legislative tool belt to discourage the use of smoking and vaping products," she said.

Under Mulé's legislation, violators would face fines of $250 per violation. There would be designated places marked with signs where people can vape.

The bill, which could be voted on this month, would also codify an 2014 directive to do the same with smoking.

Laura Curran, the county executive, said her office is trying to everything it can to protect young people from vaping-caused addiction. This includes cracking down on phony vaping products flowing in from other countries that are sold on shelves of local stores.

"We all know that smoking has become uncool with young people," she said. "They really have stopped smoking cigarettes."

But vaping has filled that void, thanks to dubious marketing practices such as advertising delicious flavors.

"Young people are getting hooked and they're getting hooked in very alarming numbers," she said.

The legislation has the support of the Long Island chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the organization said.

The legislation follows efforts at the local, state and federal levels.

The Town of Hempstead last year began enforcing a law that bans vaping in town parks. The town installed signs at the parks that specify both smoking and vaping are prohibited.

In August, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, state health officials to subpoena three out-of-state companies that market and sell so-called "thickening agents" used in black market vaping products. The thickeners, which are readily available on the internet, are billed as a cheap, safe alternative that won't adversely affect flavor or smell of existing products.

The governor also directed state health officials to issue emergency regulations mandating that warning signs be posted in all vape and smoke shops throughout the state. Furthermore, the state Health Department is launching a public service campaign to teach about the risks of vaping.

At the federal level, the Trump administration plans to ban most flavored e-cigarettes. Only tobacco flavored cartridges would remain.

The efforts come as the number of mysterious vaping-related illnesses continues to climb.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday said 1,080 vaping-related lung illnesses have been reported across 48 states and one U.S. territory. The number of vaping-related deaths climbed to 18.

All patients said they'd used e-cigarette or vaping, products, and many reported using products containing THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

"The latest national and regional findings suggest products containing THC play a role in the outbreak," the CDC wrote in its latest update.

However, federal health officials said no single product or substance has been linked to all lung injury cases. The vaping industry is dynamic and complex, officials said. Products can have a mix of ingredients, complex packaging and supply chains, and include potentially illicit substances.

Furthermore, many people might not even know what is in their e-cigarette or e-liquid solutions.

"Many of the products and substances can be modified by suppliers or users," the CDC said. "They can be obtained from stores, online retailers, from informal sources (e.g. friends, family members), or 'off the street.'"