New York bans sale of liquid nicotine to minors

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York has prohibited the sale of liquid nicotine to minors and required childproof containers for the substance to prevent poisonings.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the measure into law Monday.

Liquid nicotine is used in electronic cigarettes. Federal health statistics show the number of poison control center calls about liquid nicotine sharply increased as the devices became more common. More than half of the calls involve young children.

New York banned the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors in 2010, but the prohibition didn't apply to liquid nicotine.

The new law restricts sales of liquid nicotine to those 21 and older in New York City and 18 and older in the rest of the state.

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