New York Court Denies Industry Request to Delay E-Cigarette Ban

A state judge has denied the vaping industry’s request to delay a New York emergency ban on flavored e-cigarette sales.

Acting state Supreme Court Justice Gerald Connolly on Friday refused to issue a temporary restraining order on the regulations approved on Sept. 17 by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Health officials issued them in response to worries that vaping may cause illnesses and that its use is growing among teenagers.

The 90-day emergency regulations ban possession, manufacturing, distribution and sale of all vaping flavors except tobacco and menthol. The ban must then be extended or passed into law. The governor applauded Friday’s court ruling, saying he wants to also ban sales of menthol-flavored e-cigarettes.

The Vapor Technology Association and two retailers sued Wednesday requesting the temporary injunction on the regulations.