WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – A new tax will make it more expensive to purchase tobacco-free nicotine products.
As of Sept. 1, New York state has imposed a 75% tax on what it calls alternative nicotine products.
These include nicotine gum, lozenges, and nicotine pouches such as Zyn and Velo.
Health officials say that while these products can help smokers quit cigarettes, they may be equally addictive.
“It increases significantly the risk for mouth disease, mouth cancer, mouth or gum cancer, throat cancer,” said Anita Seefried-Brown, project director for Alliance for Better Communities, PIVOT.
Health officials hope the new tax will bring down sales of nicotine products.
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