Health Topics Neighborhood Health Emergency Prep

Flavored Tobacco and Recreational Nicotine Products

Data on Smoking Inequities

Smoking has decreased in NYC, but inequities remain. Addressing the root causes of inequities and prioritizing communities experiencing them is vital. See these reports on smoking inequities and recommendations on how to provide tailored support and outreach to communities:

Get Involved

For ways to get involved in the fight against smoking inequities, view:

Countering Tobacco and E-cigarette Industry Influences in Your Community: An Action Guide (PDF)

NYC has a law that restricts the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products (also known as e-cigarettes). According to this law, retailers may only sell tobacco products that are unflavored or are tobacco, menthol, mint or wintergreen flavored. Also, retailers may only sell e-cigarettes, e-liquids or liquid nicotine that are tobacco flavored or unflavored. Selling other flavors is illegal.

Under state and local laws, products that heat tobacco but do not burn it, such as IQOS, are subject to the same laws as other tobacco products. Heated tobacco products expose people using them and those nearby to tar and toxic chemicals. Like other tobacco products in NYC they may only be sold in unflavored and menthol/mint flavors.

Tobacco companies market tobacco and nicotine products in many varieties and flavors — including some that look and taste like candy — to appeal to young people.

Prohibited Product List (PDF)
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Menthol Tobacco Products

Menthol is a minty-flavored substance sometimes added to tobacco products. Menthol cigarettes are just as harmful as non-menthol cigarettes. The menthol additive makes the smoke less harsh and easier to tolerate, especially for new smokers.

Menthol cigarettes have become popular in NYC due to aggressive industry marketing.

The Truth About Menthol Tobacco Products Fact Sheet (PDF)
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Flavored Recreational Nicotine Products: Pouches, Toothpicks, Lozenges, Gum

Recreational nicotine products include pouches, toothpicks, tobacco-free dip, lozenges and gum. These new products deliver nicotine without tobacco and are available in many flavors, which may appeal to youth.

Nicotine is addictive, especially for teens. The flavors, ingredients and effects of recreational nicotine products are not closely regulated. These products should not be confused with FDA-approved tobacco treatment medicines (PDF), such as nicotine replacement therapy, which can be sold over-the-counter.

Recreational Nicotine Is Not Nicotine Replacement Therapy guidance (PDF)

Get Involved in Your Community

For possible activities, review Countering Tobacco and E-cigarette Industry Influences in Your Community: An Action Guide (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | 繁體中文 | 简体中文
Learn What New Yorkers Need to Know About Tobacco, E-Cigarette and Cannabis Stores in NYC (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | Русский | 繁體中文 | 简体中文 | Kreyòl ayisyen | 한국어 | বাংলা | Italiano| Polski | العربية | Français | ײִדיש" | اردو
If you have a complaint about unlicensed tobacco retailers or underage sales in your neighborhood:

Call 311
File a tobacco product sales complaint online for flavored products, unlicensed sales or underage sales
File an e-cigarette sale complaint online for flavored products, unlicensed or underage sales

Write letters to your school or local newspaper about tobacco and vape industry marketing in your community.
Share pictures of harmful tobacco or vaping product ads in your neighborhood on social media.
Talk to friends and family about tobacco or vaping products ads that have harmful messaging.
Address tobacco use in your community through your local youth reality check group or the Take Down Tobacco Online Training Program
For activities to engage youth, review Defeat Flavors and End Nicotine Dependence Toolkit Guide (PDF)