New York, NY – Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal today announced that her bill to ban e-cigarettes on school grounds was signed into law by the Governor.

"Schoolyards should be full of learning and the laughter of healthy children, not e-cigarette vapor," said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. "Banning e-cigarette use on school grounds statewide will help reduce e-cigarette use rates among our young people and will protect the health and safety of their growing bodies. New York has taken the lead in protecting people against the dangers associated with e-cigarette use and exposure, and this new law adds another protection."

E-cigarette use among young people has skyrocketed in recent years. According to a 2016 U.S Surgeon General report, e-cigarette use has increased by 900% among high school students between 2011 and 2015. E-cigarette use by young adults aged 18 to 24 surpassed use by adults aged 25 and older. The New York State Department of Health reports that vaping among high school students in New York State doubled between 2014 and 2016.

The law, which takes effect immediately, was sponsored by Pattie Ritchie in the State Senate. Also awaiting the Governor's signature is Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal's bill to include e-cigarettes in the State's Clean Indoor Air Act, which prohibits their use in public indoor spaces, as well as her bill to require e-cigarette retailers to register with the State Department of Taxation and Finance.

In 2014, Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal passed the law to ban the sale of liquid nicotine to minors and to require liquid nicotine to be sold in child-resistant packaging. In 2012, she passed the law to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, Chair of the Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, represents the 67th Assembly district, which includes the Upper West Side and parts of the Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen neighborhoods in Manhattan.