Schumer Urges Outgoing FDA Commish To Ensure Ban On Kid-Friendly E-Cigs
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) yesterday urged resigning U.S. Food and Drug (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb to ensure a ban on kid-friendly e-cig flavors like candies, juices, fruits, cookies and more before he leaves at the end of the month.
Schumer also announced that he will demand a new nominee for the post to pledge to continue Gottlieb’s unfinished business on e-cigs before they are confirmed.
“With the resignation of Scott Gottlieb, critical e-cig regulations, like a crackdown and ban on kid-friendly flavors could go up in smoke unless the Commissioner takes immediate action before leaving,” said Schumer. “Commissioner Gottlieb was bucking the trend of a lobbyist-friendly administration, and at my personal urging, led the charge to rein in e-cigarettes and the lengths they go to hook kids. This work must continue in his absence.”
Citing new data that shows e-cig use among youth is surging, Schumer detailed his asks of Gottlieb before he leaves in March. Specifically, Schumer wants Gottlieb to immediately:
1) Finalize the ban of flavored e-cigarette products in convenience stores, where a majority of New York City and Long Island-area kids acquire their e-cigs and flavor pods.
2) Once-and-for-all deem e-cigarettes as official tobacco products, which has been delayed for years. The delay means that e-cig flavors have been able to stay on the market for years without a comprehensive review of their public health implications.
Eugene Presents Kings County Hospital With $1.9M for New Equipment
City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Prospect Lefferts Gardens) on Friday presented Kings County Hospital with a check for $1.9 million dollars, which will go towards the acquisition of new radiation oncology and mammography equipment.
“I am very pleased and honored to be here with you on this very special occasion,” said Eugene at the breakfast meeting where he presented the check. “I want to thank Kings County CEO, Mr. Sheldon McLeod for his leadership, as well as the doctors, nurses, and medical professionals of this wonderful healthcare institution. Thank you so much for what you’re doing for our constituents, and for people across New York City.
“These are the people who work very hard to make New York City what it is. Health should be our number one priority for many reasons. In the government, we are talking about quality of life. There is no quality of life if we do not secure healthcare resources for our constituents. As a City Council Member, I pledge to continue doing everything I can do to secure the funding for Kings County Hospital. This is a team effort and we want to work with our colleagues in the state and federal government to make sure that Kings County Hospitals receives the necessary funding to provide the best quality of healthcare possible.”
A longtime advocate for healthcare, Eugene also secured funding through the City Council for a state-of-the-art da Vinci Robotic Surgical System, which was unveiled at NYC Health + Hospitals / Kings County in December of 2018.
Felder Lauds Over $31,000 in Heartshare Grants Approved
State Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Boro Park, Flatbush, Midwood, Bensonhurst) last week announced 157 local families have been approved for over $31,000 in grants through Heartshare, an outstanding organization with whom he has proudly collaborated with over the last six years.
“Having a warm home to come home to is not a luxury, but for many struggling families it can be just out of reach. HEAP and Heartshare provide an important safety net for New Yorkers and I am proud that we are here to help. In just under three weeks we made a real difference for so many people,” said Felder.
Felder partners with the Heartshare Energy Assistance program to provide $200 grants directly to National Grid accounts to help low-income families stay warm without having to choose between essential needs.
Although Heartshare is now closed, Felder advises families in need of heating assistance that the application period for both regular and emergency HEAP benefits has been extended to April 16, this year. Households in danger of having their utility service shut off or running out of heating fuel may apply for a second emergency benefit.
Call Felder’s office at 718-253-2015 for more information or visit your local social service agency.
Menchaca To Hold Participatory Budgeting Workshop
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) tonight will hold an Arts Workshop as he gears up for the district’s participatory budgeting process.
“We’re excited to partner with Arts & Democracy to hold this workshop where we’ll be making PB ballot boxes and voting signs to get out the vote during voting week–March 30 to April 7,” said Menchaca. “Everyone is welcome! Invite your family, friends, and neighbors! It is going to be a fun night; we’ll provide free art supplies, food, and music.
The Arts Workshop is slated for between 6:30-9 p.m., tonight, Mach 11 at Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, 783 Fourth Avenue in Sunset Park. Please RSVP to Renae Widdison at rwiddison@council.nyc.gov.
Ampry-Samuel Committee To Examine NYCHA’s New Agreement With HUD
City Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel (D-Brownsville), chair of the council’s Public Housing Committee, today will chair a hearing to examine the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) recent new agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The meeting is slated for 10 a.m., today March 11 at City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
