“No one can say longterm use of vaping–where you’re inhaling steam and chemicals deep into your lungs–is health,” argued Gov. Cuomo in a statement made over the weekend from his office in Manhattan.
According to a report by the New York Times, the state of New York has had 64 cases of the lung disease that has been linked to vaping and e-cigarette use. Patients who have suffered from this illness have reported shortness of breath, vomiting, fatigue and fever. Six people have died from this illness in recent weeks.
The state of New York has taken a hard stance against vaping, from issuing subpoenas to several vapor manufacturers [read more here] to proposing raising the minimum purchasing age of tobacco products to 21 to keep e-cigarettes and other tobacco products out of the hands of minors [read more here]. Vaping advocates have argued that a ban of any sort will lead to the emergence of a black market which would further put citizens at risk. Others argue that the move will only benefit big tobacco companies, forcing those who vape and use e-cigarettes to go back to using more traditional tobacco products like cigarettes.
