New York State Ends Tobacco Coupons and Promotions

Part of the New York State budget for fiscal year 2021, a new law, effective July 1, 2020, prohibits the use of discount coupons for any tobacco product; it also marks the end of online sales of e-cigarettes and other derivative products. A victory against the tobacco industry's devious strategies..

One small step for New York State, one giant leap for public health

By banning coupons and rebates on cartons, New York State is taking another step in the fight against tobacco industry marketing strategies that attract consumers, particularly younger consumers, who generally have smaller budgets.

According to the WHO, a strong and steady price increase is the best way to reduce tobacco use. However, with previously authorized promotional offers, cigarette companies had found a way to circumvent tobacco control efforts and remained the winners, at the expense of destroying human lives.

Coupons and discounts are now banned and will no longer be able to tempt consumers. Furthermore, since July 1st, online sales of e-cigarettes and vaping products have also been banned. This measure is intended to help combat sales to those under 21.

And after?

L'American Cancer Society Cancer Action Networkproposes a $230 million increase in funding for the tobacco control program and tax parity for all tobacco products.1

The proposal is not without reason. In response to the increasing tax measures to combat smoking, the industry is turning to other tobacco products that are not yet subject to the same regulations as cigarettes. This is yet another way to circumvent current legislation.

To attract consumers – to transfer consumers from an expensive product that is heavily taxed to a less taxed product – they maintain doubts about their harmfulness by taking advantage of the lack – or ignorance – of scientific data and put forward the argument of risk reduction.

However, time is not on the side of the new generations that the tobacco industry is attracting with flavors and packaging. Shisha – or hookah for English speakers – and e-cigarettes, which for the time being, are not subject to the same restrictions as conventional cigarettes and are not exempt from risks to the health of consumers and those around them.