New York State Senator Proposes Ban on Disposable E-Cigarettes

  New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez has proposed a ban on disposable e-cigarettes, arguing that they are harmful to public health and the environment, pose risks of explosion and fire, and contribute to plastic pollution.

According to a report by the American news site Observer on December 15, Senator Fernandez introduced the legislative proposal (S.7771) to ban disposable e-cigarettes.

Disposable e-cigarettes are small battery-powered devices that provide nicotine vapor in various flavors. Although they do not contain tobacco, many products include nicotine and are not rechargeable or reusable. The small, disposable lithium batteries in these devices are often discarded in landfills, which is a key issue mentioned in the recently proposed New York legislation.

In her legislative rationale, Fernandez wrote: "The widespread use of e-cigarettes harms public health and is extremely detrimental to our environment. There are countless rechargeable devices available on the market, and there is no need to further pollute the environment with disposable products."

She cited a 2017 report from the U.S. Fire Administration, which documented nearly 200 e-cigarette explosion incidents between 2009 and 2016, and noted that a 2022 youth tobacco survey found that disposable e-cigarettes remain the most popular choice among teenagers, with 85% of e-cigarette users opting for flavored products.

She further stated:

"As e-cigarette use becomes more widespread, the waste generated is also increasing. These plastic devices will never fully degrade, and they are found on beaches around the world, polluting public spaces. In July 2023, a report from the U.S. PIRG Education Fund estimated that 4.5 disposable e-cigarettes are discarded every second in the United States."

Marion Catellin, chair of the anti-smoking alliance, told the Associated Press: "Disposable e-cigarettes are made of plastic. They contain a lithium battery and other heavy metals, including cobalt and bromine. These tobacco sticks contain highly toxic nicotine... From an environmental impact perspective alone, these disposable e-cigarettes should be banned."

Similar measures are being considered in the UK, Ireland, and Germany. New Zealand and Australia have already implemented restrictions. New Zealand's restrictions include mandatory reductions in nicotine concentration and limitations on the locations of e-cigarette shops near schools.