Search Here

Just a week after a judge refused to approve a ban on large sodas in New York, the city's Michael Bloomberg on Monday proposed a new ban which would stop retail stores from displaying cigarettes as part of his plan to lower smoking rates in the city.

"Young people are targets of marketing and the availability of cigarettes, and this legislation will help prevent another generation from the ill health and shorter life expectancy that comes with smoking," Bloomberg told a news conference.  The measure will go to the City Council for approval, according to NBC News.

Under the legislation that will be introduced in the City Council this week, tobacco products will only be able to be seen when they're being purchased or during restocking. That means tobacco products would have to be kept "in cabinets, drawers, under the counter, behind a curtain or in any other concealed location," the Wall Street Journal writes. The measure wouldn't affect advertising and stores could still publicize they sell cigarettes.

The legislation would also increase the penalties on stores that illegally resell cigarettes smuggled in from states with lower tobacco taxes and would prohibit retailers from redeeming discount coupons on tobacco sales.  Canada has a similar law in place and the country has already noticed a overall drop in smoking rates,  city officials said.