Hempstead Town Proposing Vaping Advertisement Restrictions

The Hempstead Town Board is calling a public hearing on June 11 that will consider legislation to regulate advertising for tobacco products, including vapes and e-cigarettes, in areas where children gather.

The legislation, announced today by Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney, would severely limit advertisements for age-restricted products within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, playgrounds and licensed child-care centers.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, e-cigarette use is increasing among the youth and there were 1.5 million additional users in 2018 than 2017 with use among high school students increasing from 11.7 percent to 20.8 percent in that brief period of time," King Sweeney said. "Why? Because it is big money from big tobacco and big vaping. They are the same people that want to make money off our children despite the health consequences. Today in the Town of Hempstead that is going to stop, since we are going to go after the vaping companies with a vengeance, and bring back the youth and the health of our children today.”

Under the legislation, these advertisements would be limited in any outdoor area within 1,000 feet, in any direction, of any school, park, playground, or day care center. They would also be greatly restricted in the interior of a building or structure within 1,000 feet of one of these locations, if they are within 5 feet of any exterior window or door, unless they are not visible from outside.

Violations of the new ordinance could result in a fine of up to $1,000 per offence.

Hempstead Town has already taken an aggressive stance against vaping among children. Vapes and e-cigarettes were added to the list of things prohibited in town parks, joining cigarettes and alcohol. The town also requires all stores that sell vaping products to post signs that clearly inform of the potential health hazards of vaping.

"We will do everything we can to stop their ability to attract the youth to their 'drug-delivery products' by disguising tobacco as 'cute' and 'trendy,' and stop the vaping companies from making money off our children and putting their health greatly at risk," King Sweeney said.