Statements of Mayor Bloomberg, Health Commissioner Farley and Finance Commissioner Goldman on City Council Passage of New Legislation to Further Reduce Smoking Rate

October 30, 2013

Statement of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

“Between 2001 and 2011, New York City cut the proportion of public high school students who smoke by more than half. However, the decline in youth smoking in our city has stalled. We know that tobacco dependence can begin very soon after a young person first tries smoking so it’s critical that we stop young people from smoking before they ever start. By increasing the smoking age to 21 we will help prevent another generation from the ill health and shorter life expectancy that comes with smoking.”

Statement of Health Commissioner Thomas A. Farley

“More than 80 percent of adult smokers in NYC start smoking before age 21, so raising the sales age to 21 will protect teens and may prevent many people from ever starting to smoke. The Sensible Tobacco Enforcement law will prohibit discounting and crack down on illegal untaxed cigarette sales, both of which attract young people to smoking. These two laws will protect our young people from the marketing of tobacco and represent historic advances in our fight against New York City’s leading killer.”

Statement of Finance Commissioner Beth E. Goldman

“The number of retailers flouting the law has reached an epidemic level. It is clear that the laws on the books were simply not strong enough to prevent many retailers from selling untaxed cigarettes. This legislation passed by the Council gives Finance new tools to crack down on disreputable retailers and black market bootleggers, level the playing field for law-abiding businesses, and protect the City's fiscal and physical well-being.”

Contact:

Marc LaVorgna / Samantha Levine (212) 788-2958