This week, Tobacco Couponing at the Point of Sale took a big hit, and public health efforts took a big win. a NYC District Court upheld a NYC law banning coupon redemption and multi-pack discounts. You can read more about it here:
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/nyc-touts-legal-win-big-tobacco-blog-entry-1.1834693
Although this was only in NYC, it sets an important precedent for future policies and laws across the state and country.
Below is a statement from Harlan Jester, Director, Bureau of Tobacco Control, NYS Department of Health:
Yesterday, New York City received the news that the District Court has issued a favorable decision regarding the tobacco industry’s lawsuit against the recently adopted ban on coupon redemption and multi-pack discounts. The court ruled that the law does not restrict speech, and is not pre-empted by federal or state laws such as FCLAA or ATUPA. This is an important victory for tobacco control advocates nationwide, and a step toward additional price discount restrictions across New York State. While an appeal on the part of the tobacco industry is still likely, advocates statewide are hopeful that the courts will continue to view New York City’s law favorably.
Coupons and multi-pack discounts are designed to undermine the public health benefit of high taxes on tobacco products and are especially relevant in states like New York. This judgment is an indication that we should pursue similar legislation across the state and do so with renewed vigor. Be assured that this is not an isolated victory but one that belongs to all of us. There are more hurdles ahead but this one may have been the highest. We’ll see.
Harlan
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