NY could ban sale of flavored e-cigarettes

There could be new restrictions in New York on the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his plan to ban what many call an alternative to traditional cigarettes.
Critics say flavored e-liquids are targeted toward young people, but vape shops say they ID everyone to make sure whoever is purchasing them is at least 19 years old.
Matthew Flax, owner of Vapor Ville in Hicksville, says the statewide ban could affect his shop, and others like his, and vape users.
"You're taking something away from adults who need the help to get off traditional combustible tobacco," he says. "It has the chance to put us out of business."
Dr. Alan Mensch, a pulmonologist and medical director at Plainview Hospital, says he hasn't specifically treated patients for vaping-related issues but says they can still be dangerous.
"There's been studies showing that it affects the development of the adolescent brain," Mensch says.
Mensch adds that cigarettes have dozens more chemicals in them than vape products, but e-liquids for vaping still have nicotine in them.
Flax believes there are other ways to get children to stop using e-cigarettes, instead of banning them from everyone. He suggests removing them from places like gas stations and selling them solely in tobacco or vape shops.
If Cuomo's ban goes through, flavored e-liquids would be off the shelves in 2019.