MSSNY STATEMENT ON TOBACCO PURCHASE AGE


MSSNY Seal
MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
865 Merrick Avenue, Westbury, New York 11590-9007
www.mssny.org
Communications Division
Telephone: (516) 488-6100

 

January 15, 2019
For Immediate Release

MSSNY STATEMENT ON TOBACCO PURCHASE AGE

Statement attributable to:
Thomas Madejski, MD
President, Medical Society of the State of New York

“New York’s physician community thanks Governor Cuomo for advancing legislation in his forthcoming executive budget proposal to raise the cigarette and e-cigarette purchase age to 21.  The Medical Society of the State of New York has long advocated for increasing the purchase age for tobacco products.  This proposal is a response to the disconcerting rapid rise we have seen in teen use of e-cigarettes.  Moreover,  a  2015 Institute of Medicine report indicated that raising the cigarette purchase age to 21 will have substantially positive impact on public health by reducing the number of adolescents and young adults who start smoking.  MSSNY has joined with other patient advocacy groups supporting efforts to raise the purchase age to 21.  We look forward to working with the legislature to help enact this important proposal into law.”

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About the Medical Society of the State of New York
Founded in 1807, the Medical Society of the State of New York is the state’s principal non-profit professional organization for physicians, residents and medical students of all specialties. Its mission is to represent the interests of patients and physicians to assure quality healthcare services for all.

 

Media Contact:
Roseann Raia

Medical Society of the State of New York
865 Merrick Ave.
Westbury, New York
516.488.6100 x 302
rraia@mssny.org