In his apparent quest for total control of New Yorkers’ lives, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has another trick up his sleeve.
Gothamist reports the Bloomberg administration is “quietly working to explicitly categorize electronic cigarettes as tobacco products and enact a sweeping ban on flavored e-cigs.” Technically, New Yorkers would be able to use them, but only in tobacco bars. Gothamist notes there a very few such locations in the city.
According to a Professor at the Boston University of Public Health, as noted in the story, the move would be a “de facto ban” on electronic cigarettes. He believes it would encourage users to return to traditional cigarettes, resulting in a “public health disaster.”
And, if he’s right, they’ll pay a bit more for a pack of smokes. Gothamist reports the Bloomberg administration is seeking a $10.50 price floor per pack.
It also wants increased fines against those who sell illegal cigarettes. Ironically, if its attempt to curb e-cigarettes and raise prices are successful, demand for illegal cigarettes will naturally rise.
But that’s not all. According to the report, the administration is attempting to raise the legal smoking age to 21 and prohibit cigarette advertising in stores. So, an 18 year-old New Yorker could decide to put his life on the line in the Military, but wouldn’t be considered mature enough to purchase cigarettes.
Bloomberg’s latest antics only reinforce his absurd desire to rob New Yorkers of their freedoms. From soda bans to cigarette bans and beyond, his administration is embarking on a very slippery slope. Under its overzealous health agenda, it could arguably ban beer, hot dogs and just about anything else that doesn’t meet its liberal health requirements.
Fortunately, Bloomberg will be out of office at the end of the year. Let’s hope New Yorkers vote someone in with a little more respect for their freedoms next time around.
Originally written By James Daniels
