Schumer Urges FDA To Reverse E-Cig Regulation Delay; Spike In Teen Use Poses Health Danger
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-Brooklyn) urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reverse a recently made decision to delay the regulation of e-cigarettes yesterday.
In a letter to FDA Commissioner, Scott Gottlieb, Schumer warned about the popularity of e-cigarettes among teens, specifically new-age products dubbed ‘Juul.’ In May 2017, the FDA delayed crucial regulatory compliance deadlines for tobacco and e-cigarette products, which were on track for regulation due to a 2016 rule.
E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that are designed to resemble traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes contain a mechanism inside the device that heats up liquid nicotine and turns it into a vapor that smokers then inhale and exhale. Unlike conventional cigarettes, however, e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco.
“Juul” is a new type of e-cigarette that comes in a variety of flavors and can be easily concealed by kids in the classroom because of it’s similarity to a USB flash drive and it’s ability to be charged in school or at home on a laptop. Schumer notes that the danger of e-cigarettes could be higher than conventional smoking because one “pod” promises the amount of nicotine equal to an entire pack of conventional cigarettes. E-cigarettes continue to be sold on the market unregulated.
According to the New York State Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Advisory Board, more than one in five New York high school students used e-cigarettes in the last year. New York’s rate is higher than the national average. According to the CDC, in 2016 e-cigarettes were used by 11.3 percent of high school students. Additionally, Schumer went on to state that the FDA’s delay means that flavored e-cigarettes can remain on the market until at least 2022.
“To know that New York kids are much more likely to be using these new-age e-cig devices, like Juul, is not only concerning, but it could be dangerous. Up until now, the FDA was on track to reign in e-cigs and regulate them like any other tobacco product, but this recent delay, coupled with the new numbers showing a rise in the use of gadgets like Juul, which can fool teachers and be brought to school, demands the FDA smoke out dangerous e-cigs and their mystery chemicals before more New York kids get hooked,” said Schumer.
CM Williams Opens Long-Awaited Community Garden
City Council member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) officially opened Serenity Community Garden last weekend with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The long awaited garden is located 4402 Avenue L and is part of the Brooklyn Queens Land Trust’s efforts to expand community gardens throughout the borough.
This is the second garden that Williams has worked to secure funding for and ultimately open in the 45th District, with the first opening in 2015 on East 43rd Street betwen Avenue I and Avenue J. The garden is open and available to the public.
Donovan Secures FEMA Guarantee As Claims Deadline Approaches
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) that he secured hearings for his district with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for claims related to Superstorm Sandy.
Donovan announced that he secured claim review hearings for all 20 affected homeowners in his district a head of the Oct. 25 deadline.
Beginning in March 2015, FEMA allowed any homeowner who filed a Sandy-related flood insurance claim, to ask FEMA to reopen the claim and determine if an underpayment occurred. The claims review process yielded 19,461 requests from policyholders and FEMA offered an additional payment to 83.9 percent of claimants. However, those applicants who disagreed with FEMA’s offer and felt they deserved additional proceeds could opt for a neutral third party review, which is effectively an arbitration hearing.
FEMA contracted with an organization of retired federal judges to conduct the neutral reviews. But, as of today, approximately 2 ½ years after FEMA opened the claims review process, 20 Staten Island residents have not yet had a neutral third party review. In many cases, FEMA has faced difficulty scheduling dates with applicants because applicants’ lawyers have canceled, delayed, or rescheduled proposed hearings.
“Publicity stunts to inflame people’s fears are inappropriate and unhelpful. These are the facts: It has been 2 ½ years since this process opened, and we have 20 residents who need a hearing. Let’s get it on the books. Lawyers need to stop playing games and serve the best interests of their clients by scheduling these hearings immediately. Although a deadline extension would be unnecessary if these 20 people come forward and schedule a hearing, if they’re unable to do so for some reason, then I’ve asked FEMA to accommodate them after October 25th. I’m confident FEMA will work with us on this,” said Donovan.
All 20 of the affected homeowners are encouraged to contact Donovan’s office at (718) 351-1062 as soon as possible if they’re interested in scheduling a hearing with FEMA or in learning more about the pro bono legal services available to them.
Mosley Decries Trump Decision To End Healthcare Subsidies
Assembly member Walter T. Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) denounced President Trump’s decision to end healthcare subsidies last Friday.
Last week, Trump made the decision to cut off payments to health insurance companies in the form of subsidies. The subsidies, known as cost-sharing reduction payments, go to insurance companies to offset the cost of reducing out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles and co-payments for low-income customers.
However, according to The New York Times, under the Affordable Care Act, insurers will still have to help low-income customers, but without the help of Washington, which has the potential to send premiums soaring.
“These subsidies help insurance companies provide coverage to low-income people, and without them, New Yorkers of all incomes could see a rise in premiums and healthcare costs. The President’s decision will leave people in my district uninsured, and could result in a total collapse of the insurance market as we know it,” said Mosley.
“This reckless move by the President puts partisan fighting over the health and safety of Americans. Ending these subsidies so abruptly will make it impossible for millions of people to have the care they need to survive. This failure of the insurance market will not be the fault of Affordable Care Act, but rather the result of a poorly thought out executive order based in large part on political malfeasance on the part of the President,” added Mosley.
Levin To Host Mayoral Town Hall
City Council member Stephen Levin (D-Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Williamsburg, Boerum Hill) will host a Mayoral Town Hall this week.
The event will give constituents of District 33 an opportunity to ask Mayor Bill de Blasio direct questions regarding issues with housing, transportation, parking and more as members of the Mayor’s city agencies will be on hand to answer specific questions.
The event is slated for 6 p.m., this Wednesday, Oct. 18, at St. Francis College, at 180 Remsen Street (between Clinton and Court Streets) in Brooklyn Heights.
Residents of the 33rd Council District are asked to RSVP by October 18 at 6 p.m. via email atbrooklyntownhall@cityhall.nyc.gov or by calling (212) 788-7929. Space is limited.