Michigan Becomes First State to Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes

In recent years, there has been a national crackdown on vaping. This Wednesday, after sharp spikes in vaping related illnesses, Michigan's governor Gretchen Whitmer said she would ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes throughout the state. This would be the first state to make such a move. Gov. Whitmer explained the decision came as a response to the increase of e-cigarette use among teenagers as well as ads that seemed to be targeted specifically at children.

This move comes as part of a wave of national pressure to have more regulation of e-cigarettes and their sale to children. Across the country, multiple state attorneys are calling for the federal government to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes California and Massachusetts have introduced bills to stop the sale of these products, and New York's governor raised the age eligible to buy them to 21. In addition to all that, San Francisco became the first city to ban vaping products earlier this year.

Many illnesses are also starting to be attributed to vaping. This includes the deaths of two people, one in Oregon and another in Illinois, who both used e-cigarette products. The American Heart Association praised Michigan's ban, saying the uncertainty of health risks from vaping called for immediate action.

In Michigan, the ban would stop the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in stores and online. Gov Whitmer also asked state health officials to go about removing misleading ads targeted at kids. Producers of vaping products are not pleased, and not just because it could hurt sales. They fear a black market will appear in Michigan. They also claim there is no scientific backing to supposed health risks.

Link: Among Vaping Crackdown, Michigan to Ban Sale of Flavored E-Cigarettes

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