AKWESASNE — In response to public health concerns associated with vaping and e-cigarette products, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is proposing to increase the purchase age for these and related products to 21 years-old. The Tribe is also proposing to prohibit the retail sale of all flavored vaping and similar devices through Tribal Council Resolution (TCR) being presented during a 30-day public comment period.
The proposed resolution is due to the rapid growth of youth that use electronic cigarettes (or e-cigarettes) and the potential adverse health effects they may be exposed to, according to A Report of the Surgeon General on E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults. The Report found that youth who inhale e-cigarette aerosol are likely to experience nicotine addiction, developmental effects on the brain, subsequent illicit drug use, effects on psychosocial health, and potential bodily injury due to battery explosion and accidental overdose, amongst other ailments.
In response, the proposed TCR was introduced on Wednesday, Kenténha/October 30, 2019 at the Tribal Council Work Session. The public comment period will include two additional presentations. The second public presentation will take place at the Kentenhkó:wa/November 2nd Monthly Tribal Meeting; which begins at 10:00 a.m. in the first floor meeting room at the Ionkwakiohkwaróron Tribal Administration Building located at 71 Margaret Terrance Memorial Way. A third public presentation will be held on Thursday, Kentenhkó:wa/November 14th beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the same location at Ionkwakiohkwaróron.
Copies of the proposed tribal council resolution are available from the Compliance Department and the main reception desk at the Ionkwakiohkwaróron Tribal Administration Building.
The 30-day public comment period concludes on Thursday, Kentenhkó:wa/November 28, 2019. Any comments may be mailed or delivered in person to the Compliance Department at 28 Okwarine Road, Akwesasne, NY 13655. All comments submitted will be reviewed and resolved, prior to the scheduled adoption of the TCR at the Tsiothóhrha/December 4th Work Session.
Upon adoption by the Tribal Council, all flavored vaping products that have a taste or aroma distinguishable from tobacco shall also be prohibited. In addition, beginning on Tsiothohrkó:wa/January 1, 2020 the minimum purchase age for vape, e-cigarettes, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) or similar devices shall be prohibited to anyone under the age of 21-years old within the territory of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.
For more information, please contact Elliott Lazore, Compliance Director, at (518) 358-2272.
