Bloomberg cigarette plan gets praise, criticism
NEW YORK (AP) - Anti-smoking advocates and health experts are hailing proposals from Mayor Michael Bloomberg that would keep cigarettes out of sight in New York City stores. But tobacco companies and smokers are calling it an overreach.
The ban, which would be the first of its kind in the U.S., is aimed at discouraging young people from smoking.
Shops from corner stores to supermarkets would have to keep tobacco products in cabinets, drawers, under the counter, behind a curtain or in other concealed spots. Officials also want to stop shops from taking cigarette coupons and honoring discounts, and are proposing a minimum price for cigarettes, though it's below what the going rate is in much of the city now.