Legislature Hearing Demanded to Ban Menthol Cigarettes in NYC

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Nov.20.2023
Legislature Hearing Demanded to Ban Menthol Cigarettes in NYC
New York City social justice and health groups demand a hearing on Intro 577, legislation to end the sale of menthol cigarettes in the city.

According to a report by Readme, a New York City advocacy group for social justice and health has demanded that the City Council hold a public hearing on Intro 577 legislation. This legislation aims to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes in the city.

 

Despite the support of half of the city council members and civil rights leaders, Intro 577 has yet to undergo a public hearing after more than a year of waiting. Council Member Lynn Schulman, chair of the Health Committee, is the initiator of this bill. Last week, Senator Gillibrand also expressed support for the federal ban on the sale of menthol cigarettes.

 

Tabitha Ellis, Chairwoman of the Advocacy Committee of the American Heart Association in New York City, has called for the removal of mint-flavored tobacco products from the market. Mint flavoring has been found to make smoking easier to start and harder to quit. Each year, without legislation to end the sale of mint-flavored cigarettes in New York City, thousands of new teenagers, predominantly from minority communities, will begin smoking and develop nicotine addiction through mint-flavored products. For decades, major tobacco companies have aggressively marketed mint-flavored tobacco products in minority communities, but we can now tackle this issue through effective legislation.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Daegu Jung-gu: liquid e-cigarettes with synthetic nicotine to be fined in nonsmoking areas under revised Tobacco Business Act
Daegu Jung-gu: liquid e-cigarettes with synthetic nicotine to be fined in nonsmoking areas under revised Tobacco Business Act
Daegu’s Jung-gu District announced on Feb. 10 that, following amendments to the Tobacco Business Act that explicitly classify liquid e-cigarettes containing synthetic nicotine as “tobacco” (effective April 24, 2026), the district will expand regulations to include fines for vaping such products in designated nonsmoking areas. The district health office said smokers/vapers could face an administrative fine of up to 100,000 won for using synthetic-nicotine liquid e-cigarettes in smoke-free zones
Feb.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philippine Lawmakers Push Bill to Close Vape Tax Loopholes
Philippine Lawmakers Push Bill to Close Vape Tax Loopholes
Lawmakers in the Philippines are pushing House Bill 5207 (HB 5207), which seeks to harmonize excise tax rates on vapor products and address disparities between nicotine salt and freebase nicotine taxation. The bill, supported by more than 40 lawmakers including Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan, would raise taxes on freebase nicotine products to align them with nicotine salt rates.
Regulations
Feb.22
Philippine public health groups urge an absolute ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products
Philippine public health groups urge an absolute ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products
Public health groups in the Philippines are urging the government to impose an absolute ban on e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other nicotine delivery products, citing health harms and increasing accessibility among youth. The call follows Myanmar’s move to become the eighth ASEAN country to implement a total vape ban and comes as the Philippine Congress deliberates tobacco and vape taxation.
Feb.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report | Middle East Military Conflict Disrupts Global Air Corridors: Europe-Bound Vape Logistics Defy Seasonal Price Declines, Fuel Cost Risks Emerge
Special Report | Middle East Military Conflict Disrupts Global Air Corridors: Europe-Bound Vape Logistics Defy Seasonal Price Declines, Fuel Cost Risks Emerge
Escalating tensions involving Iran are disrupting air transit routes heavily used for China’s vape exports to Europe, preventing the usual post–Lunar New Year freight rate decline. While Europe-bound capacity reliant on Middle East hubs faces pressure, shipments to the United States remain largely unaffected for now. However, potential jet fuel price increases could broaden cost pressures globally.
Special Report
Mar.02
Fontem Sues FDA Over Refusal-to-File Decision for Nicotine Pouch PMTAs
Fontem Sues FDA Over Refusal-to-File Decision for Nicotine Pouch PMTAs
According to a complaint filed on March 17 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fontem US, LLC and Texas retailer OM Investment, LLC sued the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services over FDA’s refusal-to-file decision for certain Zone nicotine pouch PMTAs.
Mar.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report | China’s New Five-Year Plan Highlights “Health-First” Strategy, Providing Policy Context for Tobacco Sector
Special Report | China’s New Five-Year Plan Highlights “Health-First” Strategy, Providing Policy Context for Tobacco Sector
China’s 2026 “Two Sessions” reviewed the draft Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, which proposes implementing a health-first development strategy and strengthening the effectiveness of the Patriotic Health Campaign. Although the document does not address specific industries, this public-health governance framework provides a new policy context for observing the future regulation, product strategies, and market development of China’s tobacco and next-generation nicotine sectors.
Industry Insight
Mar.08