Members from the New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS) reiterated their opposition to the County Board of Legislators’ proposal to prohibit licensed wholesalers and retailers from selling flavored tobacco products. They argue that there are currently more than 445 businesses in Westchester County that sell flavored tobacco products. In Westchester, 40% of all cigarettes sold are menthol and 84% of all smokeless tobacco is flavored. If this proposed ban goes into effect the county will lose $1.8 million per year in tax revenue and the elimination of hundreds of jobs will also adversely impact the Westchester economy.
Opponents of the ban also point to the fact that there are currently 906 retailers within only five miles of Westchester County’s border, all of whom will continue to sell flavored tobacco products. This ban would drive customers to bordering retailers for these products, subsequently resulting in economic unsustainability for local mom-and-pop small businesses in Westchester County. These businesses rely on the revenue from flavored tobacco products to compensate their employees and keep their doors open.
Supporters of the ban also rallied outside the county office building before the public hearing, and included The New York Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), The Center for Black Health and Equity, Miss Abbie’s Kids, lawmakers, and other community partners.
The press conference will feature remarks from prominent health and social justice advocates, including Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State Conference; Rev. RItney Castine, Center for Black Health and Equity; Dr. Shetal Shah, Westchester County Pediatrician; Catherine Borgia, Chair, Westchester County Board of Legislators; Chris Johnson, Majority Leader, Westchester County Board of Legislators; bill sponsor Jewel Williams Johnson, Chair of the Health Committee of the Westchester County Board of Legislators; Shanequa Charles, Executive Director, Miss Abbie’s Kids; Isabella Jabbour, Executive Director, Students Against Nicotine.
In New York, 22.3% of high school students use e-cigarettes, with most preferring to use flavored tobacco, with fruit, candy, desserts, mint, and menthol reported as the most popular flavors. Menthol cigarettes play a significant role in enticing new users—predominantly those under 18 and in Black and Brown communities—to a lifetime of addiction. New York spends $12.07 billion annually in healthcare costs directly caused by smoking, and there are 280,000 kids now under 18 and alive in New York who will ultimately die prematurely from smoking.
