S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3587
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
March 25, 2009
___________
Introduced by Sens. KRUEGER, HASSELL-THOMPSON, HUNTLEY, SAVINO -- read
twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the
Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
providing biodegradable filters on cigarettes
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative intent. Cigarette filters do not decompose and
return to the soil. Consequently they produce unsightly litter as well
as posing a possible threat to any water system that they may be flushed
into, through plumbing or natural drainage. It is the intent of this
legislation to improve the quality of life by removing the litter and
reducing the danger of possible chemical reaction through the use of
biodegradable filters.
S 2. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new
section 27-0721 to read as follows:
S 27-0721. FILTERS ON CIGARETTES TO BE BIODEGRADABLE.
1. WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, NO
FILTERED CIGARETTES SHALL BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE IN THIS STATE
UNLESS THE MANUFACTURER THEREOF HAS CERTIFIED IN WRITING TO THE DEPART-
MENT THAT THE FILTER IS BIODEGRADABLE.
2. A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE PUNISHABLE BY A CIVIL PENALTY
NOT TO EXCEED ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR EACH VIOLATION THEREOF.
S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09755-01-9