The Speaker

A native New Yorker, Boyce began his distinguished 33-year career with the New York State Police in 1987. In 1996, he was appointed to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation as an Investigator, where he was assigned to the Community Narcotics Enforcement Team, working multiple level narcotics cases throughout much of the Central, Southern and Western New York areas. In 1998, Boyce was cross-designated a U.S. Customs Officer by the U.S. Department of Treasury. In 1999, he completed the New York State Police Basic Hate/Bias Criminal Investigations School to become a Bias Crimes Investigator. He was deputized as a Drug Enforcement Agent Task Force Officer to assist with major narcotics investigations. In 2015, Boyce was accepted into the distinguished New York State Police Employee Assistance Program and subsequently promoted to Senior Investigator / Director.

The Workshop

Clearing The Air: Tobacco Harm Reduction :
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 01:00P

Today, many people remain in the dark on the difference between vaping and smoking, The debates between vaping and smoking have gained significant attention in recent years as smokers explore alternatives to traditional cigarettes. Most smokers are aware of the harmful effects of cigarette smoking. Some experts consider vaping less harmful than smoking. Regulations for vapes and electronic cigarettes are complex and vary across states.
Some states have no regulations, while others ban vapes completely. These restrictions are part of an ongoing effort to curb the rise in vaping among adolescents and teens, whose use has skyrocketed in recent years.
Given the ongoing debates and regulatory challenges, this discussion seeks to clarify the differences between vaping and smoking to address the misinformation and misconceptions, and will expound on the lived experiences and expertise of a panel of leading Black law enforcement and medical professionals on the unintended consequences of bans and prohibitions.