New York‘s Health Department has reportedly commissioned a new “New York Local Opinion Leaders Survey” aimed at testing support for an all-out ban on the sale of tobacco products in the state.
“What is your opinion about a policy that would end the sale of all tobacco products in New York within 10 years?” the survey asks.
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“What is your opinion about a policy that would ban the sale of all tobacco products to those born after a certain date? For example, those born after the year 2010 or later would never be sold tobacco,” another question on the survey asks.
The nonprofit research organization RTI International is conducting the commissioned survey which is being distributed to “community leaders” statewide.
The survey is believed to be a “test marketing” effort by the Hochul administration to gauge the political climate in New York communities for new anti-tobacco product policies.
Kent Sopris, president of the New York Association of Convenience Store Owners, is already predicting this effort will put many stores out of business, especially after suffering through the pandemic and the rise of retail theft.
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“I think it would be bizarre for the state to create another category of illegal product that could lead to more conflict between law enforcement and the community,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hochul has been encouraging New Yorkers to buy marijuana products at legalized cannabis dispensaries throughout the city.
