cigarettes

New York’s e-cigarette ban throws URMC research into question

By • Sep 30, 2019

Irfan Rahman’s laboratory sits at the end of a long hallway on the third floor of the University of Rochester’s School of Medicine and Dentistry.

STUDY: Air pollution = smoking a pack of cigarettes

By • Aug 16, 2019
National Weather Service

In what apparently is first-of-its-kind research, scientists say air pollution can be the equivalent of smoking a pack of cigarettes - and if you already smoke, it is the equivalent of another pack.

New Look For Cigarettes? FDA Proposes Graphic Warnings On Packages And Ads

By • Aug 16, 2019

For years, American smokers have been spared the unpleasant images of gangrene infected feet, swollen tongues overtaken by cancerous tumors and blackened lungs that are often plastered onto packs of cigarettes sold around the world. But that momentary reprieve before lighting up may only last a few more years.

New York raises state smoking age to 21

By Mike Desmond & AP • Jul 16, 2019
File photo

New York is the latest state to raise its smoking age from 18 to 21 in an effort to discourage teens from getting hooked. 

STUDY: African American menthol cigarette smokers find it harder to quit

By • Jun 28, 2019
iStockphoto.com

For decades, there has been massive advertising of menthol cigarettes, heavily in African American communities. That has been researched often. What is different about a new study of mentholated cigarettes and quitting is that it found Black menthol cigarette smokers find it harder to quit.

Tonawanda man charged for trunk full of untaxed cigarettes

By • Jun 5, 2019
New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

A Tonawanda man is in trouble for possessing untaxed cigarettes.

Assembly votes to raise smoking, vaping age

By • Mar 7, 2019
Ayhan Yildiz / freeimages.com

Lawmakers in the New York state Assembly have voted to raise the smoking age from 18 to 21.

Erie County proposing raising the age for buying tobacco, e-cigs

By • Feb 15, 2019
File Photo

Erie County lawmakers are pushing legislation to raise the age for buying tobacco products and electronic cigarettes to 21.

Erie County approves new smoking bans, social host law

By • Dec 7, 2018
File Photo / National Public Radio

While the major issue on Thursday's agenda was next year's budget, the Erie County Legislature also passed two other significant pieces of legislation.

NYS can tax Native American tobacco sales to non-Indians, court rules

By Mark Scott • Jun 7, 2018
File Photo

The State Court of Appeals on Thursday unanimously ruled that New York can tax tobacco sales by Native American retailers to non-Indians.

New law adds smoking restrictions to vaping

By • Oct 24, 2017

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation that bans electronic cigarettes from places in New York State where smoking tobacco is already prohibited.

'No Smoking' signs expected in Buffalo parks

By • Jul 26, 2017
WBFO's Mike Desmond

Somewhere in Buffalo parks you may soon see a huddled group like those around the outside doors of office buildings. The city will be erecting "No Smoking" signs.

Ballpark now 100% tobacco and smoke-free

By WBFO STaff • May 22, 2017
Buffalo Bisons

Going to a baseball game this season? Leave your cigarettes at home.

Assembly adds e-cigarettes to state smoking ban

By • May 22, 2017
Food & Drug Administration

Lawmakers in New York are debating whether to add electronic cigarettes to the state's ban on smoking in public areas like workplaces, bars and restaurants. The state Assembly already has endorsed the idea.

Ontario group says 'contraband' cigarettes are rising sharply

By Michael Mroziak • Dec 1, 2016

For years, some have argued that New York State's convenience stores are at a disadvantage when it comes to cigarette sales because Native American shops need not charge the same taxes as non-Natives are required to do. Across the border in Ontario, a convenience store advocate says their problem with "contraband cigarettes" is similar, skyrocketing and will only get worse.


County executive calls for pharmacies to ban cigarette sales

By Eileen Buckley • Mar 4, 2016
WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz is calling for a ban on the sale of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes at pharmacies in the county.

Area smoking rate declines

By • Mar 30, 2015

More local residents are kicking the habit. The latest New York State Health Department survey shows Buffalo-Niagara's smoking rate is down by one third compared to five years ago.

Proposed e-cigarette regulations not sitting well with retailers

By Ashley Hirtzel • Aug 18, 2014
Ashley Hirtzel / WBFO

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is calling on the Food and Drug Administration to strengthen proposed regulations of electronic cigarettes. WBFO’s Ashley Hirtzel spoke with the owner of several e-cigarette stores in the state about how the proposals would affect his business.

FDA proposes new rules for e-cigarettes

By Ashley Hirtzel • Apr 25, 2014
Ashley Hirtzel / WBFO News

The Food and Drug Administration proposed strict new regulations on e-cigarettes yesterday. The FDA plans to submit a regulatory blueprint to congress that will widen its authority over the electronic devices, as well as cigars, pipe tobacco and hookahs.

Cancer care community applauds CVS decision

By • Feb 6, 2014
cvs.com

CVS Caremark's decision to stop selling tobacco products is drawing praise in the cancer treatment community.