Statement on Westchester County Executive George Latimer’s veto of bill to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products
Following yesterday’s announcement that Westchester County Executive George Latimer vetoed a bill that would have ended the sale of menthol cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products, Michael Davoli, NY Director of Government Relations at ACS CAN, made the following statement:
“Westchester County Executive George Latimer’s veto of the comprehensive flavored tobacco law was an act of cowardice. By ignoring the deadly impact that flavored tobacco has on his constituents, the County Executive has cast his lot with those who have peddled their deadly product with lies for generations. The justification given in his veto message could have been written by a tobacco industry lobbyist. His willingness to accept the lies presented by opponents of the bill demonstrate the interests that matter to him most. Today, the County Executive delivered a victory for Big Tobacco at the expense of Westchester families. Any elected official who puts the profits of businesses ahead of the health of their constituents should be ashamed.”
Michael Davoli serves as the New York Director of Government Relations at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
