Jersey City Bans The Sale Of Flavored E-Cigarettes

JERSEY CITY, NJ — The city has banned the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes.

The City Council approved an ordinance Wednesday that bans the sale of e-cigarettes that use flavored tobacco products. It is believed to be the first such ban in New Jersey.

The legislation was introduced last month. It states that the ban is in the city's best interest "in order to protect the health and welfare of the public by reducing the appeal of these products to minors and reduce the likelihood that these minors will become addicted to nicotine."

The ban includes e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vape pens, and their accessories.

The Centers for Disease Control said e-cigarettes heat liquids, which often contain nicotine and flavors that appeal to kids and young adults like chocolate, fruit, or vanilla.

"The purpose of this ban specifically targeting the flavored tobacco product is the belief that electronic cigarette companies are targeting young people through candy and fruit-flavored products to lure them into vaping," said Mayor Steven Fulop.

There have been 2,291 cases of lung injuries associated with e-cigarettes or vaping products were reported to the CDC from 50 states, and 47 people have died. The median age of those who died was 52, and their ages ranged from 17 to 75, the CDC reported.

The council voted 8-1. Councilman Richard Boggiano cast the lone dissenting vote.

"I can walk to Union City and Bayonne and buy those products there, or I could order them online. People can buy them anywhere, so what's the point of banning them here?" Boggiano said. "They should be federally regulated, not by cities or states, and if they are such a health hazard, why hasn't the federal government banned them?"

Governor Murphy has called for statewide legislation to prohibit the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, including menthol, in New Jersey. He also created the Electronic Smoking Device Task Force to address the issue of e-cigarette use in New Jersey.

The New Jersey Hospital Association said in November that the state's hospitals are on pace to see nearly 16,000 patients who use e-cigarettes in 2019. The association also reported the beginning of an uptick in hospitalizations where e-cigarette usage is documented between the ages of 11 and 12, and peak e-cigarette use happens between the ages of 18-24. (See related: Startling Details, Cases Skyrocket In Deadly NJ Vaping Outbreak)

"In line with the Governor’s Task Force findings, we want to do our part starting here in Jersey City to help end this epidemic by banning the sale of these seemingly attractive devices," Fulop said.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com