Senate Bill S8098A

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S8098A

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to prohibiting the
sale of dry ice to individuals under twenty-one years of age

 
PURPOSE:

This legislation would help prevent under aged undetectable alcohol
intoxication absent consumption with the use of dry ice.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1:

a. Adding § 399-hh to the general business law to prohibit any person or
business entity to sell dry ice to any person under the age of 21.

b. To provide for punishments for the violation(s) for the above.
              

Section 2: Sets forth the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Today, there is a trending phenomenon with dry ice, it is smoking alco-
hol or "vaping". This is alcohol being heated then poured onto dry ice
allowing for the alcohol vapors to be inhaled and getting into the blood
stream almost, instantly. The yielding effect is alcohol goes straight
to the brain.

There are several health threats such as damage to the nasal passages
and lungs; enabling a person to achieve fatal alcohol poisoning more
rapidly and without warning; and death.Since the alcohol reaches the
brain faster, intoxication isn't felt as quickly, and does not allow for
the liver to detoxify the alcohol as it does when consumed with drink-
ing. Vaping' misleads a person to feel sober when they are not and their
body neurologically becomes impaired the same as when alcohol is drank.

Alcohol abuse is a public health crisis; especially among under aged
drinkers. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
alcohol is the most commonly used drug among youth (2007). Under aged
drinking cost New York State over $3.1 billion in 2013(Pacific Research
Institute); an increase from $2.3 billion in 2005. Those who drink under
the legal age are more likely to become heavy drinkers.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse
(NIAAA), 5000 people annually under the age of 21 die due to alcohol;
with 1900 of these in motor vehicle crashes.

With this new phenomenon of consuming alcohol being viewed as fun and
trendy while coupled with the misconception of not getting being able to
get drunk when smoked, the issues from the dangers of vaping are sure to
increase. This is sure to compound all other dangers and issues of under
aged drinking. Ages 12-20 are reported to have consumed 11% of all alco-
hol consumed in the United States for 2015 (NIAAA).


This may be viewed as a drastic measure for a commonly used item used
for simplistic purposes, however, this is similar to implementing legis-
lature signed requiring a person to be at least 18 years of age with
proper identification to purchase household items such as certain glues
and spray paints; as well as common over-the-counter medications. Smok-
ing alcohol with the use of dry ice is something that must be proactive-
ly addressed for the safety of the public, especially those under the
legal age of drinking.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Legislation.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.