Note: World Lung Foundation united with The Union North America. From January 2016, the combined organization is known as “Vital Strategies.”
The legislation, unveiled by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Health Commissioner Tom Farley and members of the New York City Council, would make the city the first in the United States to keep tobacco products out of sight.
(New York, USA) – World Lung Foundation (WLF) applauds legislation introduced today in New York City to ban tobacco displays at retail shops throughout the city. The legislation, unveiled today by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Health Commissioner Tom Farley and members of the New York City Council, would make the city the first in the United States to keep tobacco products out of sight.
Under the proposed legislation, retailers would be required to hide tobacco products in cabinets, drawers, under the counter, behind a curtain or in any other concealed location. Tobacco products could only be in view during a sale or during re-stocking. The legislation is intended to reduce youth exposure to tobacco packaging, which has been shown to increase uptake in smoking behavior.
Peter Baldini, Chief Executive Officer, World Lung Foundation, commented: “Tobacco packaging is a powerful marketing tool designed to make a deadly product appealing to consumers, including children. We applaud Mayor Bloomberg’s and the City Council’s leadership. If this becomes law, NYC will once again show the world the willingness to put saving lives over politics and tobacco industry interests. We wholeheartedly endorse this measure and look forward to a robust evaluation that will provide a blueprint for other jurisdictions to follow.”