Tish James Files Suit Against JUUL
NY Attorney General Letitia James (D) held a press conference yesterday, announcing a lawsuit against the e-cigarette company JUUL.
According to the CDC, e-cigarette usage among high schoolers increased 78 percent between 2017 and 2018. Furthermore, the NY State Department of Health estimates that at least 1 million New Yorkers use e-cigarettes on a regular basis. James blamed JUUL for this surge in addiction, citing the fact that they hold 70 percent of the market.
“JUUL basically took a page from Big Tobacco’s playbook,” said James. “It mislead consumers about the nicotine content of JUUL’s products. It misrepresented the safety and the therapeutic nature of its product by saying it was safer than cigarettes. In reality, JUUL’s products contain significant amounts of nicotine, and are not cessation devices.”
Gottfried to Hold Final Hearing on Single Payer Health Act
Assemblymember Richard Gottfried (D-Chelsea, Midtown) will be holding one last hearing on the New York Health Act next Monday.
The New York Health Act would establish universal single-payer health coverage for all New Yorkers, including long-term care. If passed, New Yorkers would no longer have to pay co-pays, deductibles or out-of-network charges. Monday’s hearing, which will take place in Kingston, will be the last of a series of four statewide hearings.
The hearing will take place on Monday, Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. at the County Office Building, 244 Fair St., Kingston, NY.
Johnson Celebrates Signage of Streets Master Plan
Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen) released a statement expressing gratitude for the signage of his Streets Master Plan into law.
The act, which was approved by the Council last month, was signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) yesterday. The bill seeks to reform the city’s transportation systems in a way that prioritizes pedestrian safety, efficient mass transit, emission reduction and accessibility.
“Today we take a giant leap closer to reclaiming our streets and making them safer for our residents,” said Johnson. “The Streets Master Plan, now signed into law, will revolutionize the way New Yorkers use our streets, creating more bus and bike lanes, more pedestrian space and safer street infrastructure. This law helps us make alternative transportation options more viable, which is necessary in our fight against climate change. Today would not have been possible without the hard work of transportation and street safety advocates, including families who lost love ones on our dangerous streets. Their persistence and passion led to a plan that will ultimately make New York City a more enjoyable place to live, work and play. New Yorkers for generations to come will be safer because of them.”
Epstein to Host NYCHA Town Hall Meeting
Assemblymember Harvey Epstein (D-Lower East Side, East Village), along with the rest of the Manhattan Delegation of the New York State Assembly, will be hosting a town hall meeting on NYCHA today.
Attendees will get the opportunity to voice their concerns about NYCHA and get connected to NYCHA services. They will also get the chance to break into working groups to formulate solutions to tenant issues and discuss how to ensure that NYCHA receives adequate funding.
The meeting will take place today from 6-8 p.m. at Boys and Girls Republic, 888 East 6th St.
