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NY Legislature OKs ban on e-cigarettes for minors

ALBANY — New York’s Legislature has voted to ban selling electronic cigarettes to minors.

If Gov. Cuomo signs the bill into law, New York will join Alaska, Idaho, Kansas and Maryland in restricting so-called e-cigarettes that can carry nicotine. The devices are sold without regulation in malls and other places where cigarettes are sold.

The American Cancer Society had called for the measure for two years.

Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat, pushed the bill that passed in her house. She said she was then “baffled” by a last minute dispute with the Republican-controlled Senate.

On Thursday, the last day of the legislative session, the Senate passed the bill 60-0.