Bloomberg Wants to Hide the Tobacco

Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a bill on Monday that would force retailers to hide tobacco products.

The move, intended to shield children from tobacco marketing and discourage customers from impulse smoking, would make New York City the first in the nation to enforce such a rule. 

"New York City has dramatically lowered our smoking rate, but even one new smoker is one too many – especially when it’s a young person,” said Bloomberg in a statement. “Young people are targets of marketing and the availability of cigarettes and this legislation will help prevent another generation from the ill health and shorter life expectancy that comes with smoking.”

The bill is one in a list of priorities in the mayor’s health agenda, including curbing trans-fat, salt and sugar consumption as well as reducing teenage pregnancy and obesity — all of which have elevated him nationally as a leading proponent of legislating consumer health.

Unlike with the mayor’s ban on sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces, both of the tobacco bills will first go before the City Council for consideration after his ban on sugary drinks was shot down last week by a state judge, a decision that the city is appealing.

Queens Councilman James Gennaro joined Bloomberg for his press conference to make the announcement Tuesday.

"Science and experience clearly tell us that the earlier kids start smoking, the more difficult it will be for them quit," Gennaro said. "Eliminating enticing tobacco displays and low-cost cigarettes from unscrupulous vendors will yield tremendous health dividends that will compound in the future."