VAping

Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered his tenth State of the State address Wednesday in Albany. WBFO reporters took in-depth look at what the governor and others are saying about some key challenges the state faces at the start of a new decade.

With support from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and many members of the state legislature, 2020 could be the year when New York legalizes the adult use of recreational marijuana. But the issue has become complicated by a widespread lung ailment linked to vaping.

New York’s Attorney General is suing Juul, the nation’s largest manufacturer of electronic cigarettes, saying the “deceptive and misleading marketing of its e-cigarettes” has contributed to the youth vaping epidemic in New York State.

New York is still grappling with the surge of cases of serious health problems associated with the use of e-cigarettes. Across the state, the most recent figures list 182 cases of vaping-related illness: some definite, some under investigation.

The good news is that New York State is tied for first in five-year life expectancy for someone diagnosed with lung cancer. The bad news is that the top score is just over 26% making it to five years.

New York has now reported the first death related to an epidemic of vaping-related illnesses, with the state health department saying the male victim is a 17-year-old from the Bronx. 

As an outbreak of severe lung disease and deaths among users of electronic cigarettes continues to spread to new patients and states, many may be wondering if the products are safe, especially smokers who may use e-cigarettes to get off tobacco. Andrew Hyland, chair of the Department of Health Behavior at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, says "yes, but...."

New York’s Health Department Public Health Council voted to ban flavored e-cigarettes in the state beginning Oct. 4. They did so over the protests of vape shop owners, who say they are helping people quit smoking tobacco cigarettes and that they will lose their businesses when the ban takes effect.

The vaping industry is reacting to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s upcoming ban on flavored e-cigarettes, saying that it is misguided and will force many small-business owners to close their shops and lay off employees. Some are predicting legal action.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order to direct his health department to ban all flavored electronic cigarettes, in response to a vaping heath emergency that has sickened hundreds and killed six people.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state health department are continuing to urge New Yorkers to refrain from using any vaping products while an investigation continues into the cause of a mysterious vaping-related lung ailment that has now sickened 41 New Yorkers.

The serious lung disease blamed on vaping and the use of electronic cigarettes has hit Western New York and research scientists are racing to figure out what's going on.

Buffalo lawmakers are considering a six-month moratorium on the opening of new vape shops, the stores that sell e-cigarettes and supplies.