L.L. 2017/146
Enactment date: 8/28/2017
Int. No. 1547-A
By Council Members Lander, Johnson, Levine, Richards, Rosenthal, Cohen, Kallos, Barron and Maisel
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to expanding the retail dealer license to include retailers of tobacco products and setting caps on retail dealer licenses, and to repeal subdivision c of section 17-702, relating to the definition of cigarette license
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Declaration of legislative findings and intent. The Council finds that tobacco use is a leading risk factor for preventable premature death in the United States and the City of New York, and that the City has a compelling interest in continuing its efforts to reduce tobacco use among adults and to prevent youth from starting to use tobacco products
Overall, the City has a high level of tobacco retail density with approximately 8,200 licensed cigarette retailers within approximately 300 square miles. The Council further finds, based on a number of studies, that easy access to tobacco retailers makes it harder for smokers to quit. In addition, weekly youth exposure to tobacco retail settings doubles the odds of youth smoking. Therefore, reducing the number of tobacco retailers over time is likely to reduce tobacco use and, in turn, morbidity.
The Council hereby declares that the enactment of this law is necessary to reduce the number of retailers selling tobacco products in New York City. This law will expand the scope of the existing retail dealer license for cigarettes to cover all tobacco products and restrict the availability of new retail dealer licenses, decreasing their numbers over time through attrition.
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[Consolidated provisions are not included in this Appendix A]
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§ 12. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law, except that subparagraph D of paragraph 1 of subdivision d of section 20-202 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by section ten of this local law, shall not apply to a pharmacy seeking a renewal of its license to engage in business as a retail dealer until December 31, 2018.