Michigan Bans Flavored E-Cigarettes to Curb Vape Addiction

Following several possible cases of vaping-related illnesses, Michigan has become the first state to make the bold move of banning most flavored e-cigarettes. NBC News reported that the newly established prohibition covers both online and in-store sales of any e-cigarettes flavor that is not tobacco. The ban begins to take effect in a few weeks, giving businesses 30 days to comply.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer wrote in a letter to Michigan state senators that the goal is to make flavors like Fruit Loops, Fanta, and Nilla wafers unavailable to children and teens: “I am committed to protecting public health. There is no doubt that keeping nicotine out of the hands of kids is one of the most powerful ways to fulfill that commitment.” She also said,

“E-cigarettes can deliver nicotine more than twice as quickly as tobacco cigarettes.”

Many leading public health groups applauded Whitmer’s move – the American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and the Truth Initiative called Whitmer’s action necessary and appropriate, writing that “in the absence of strong federal regulation, parents have been blindsided by the e-cigarette epidemic. The time for waiting is over. The FDA must immediately remove all flavored e-cigarettes from the market nationwide, prohibit all marketing to children and prohibit online sales of e-cigarettes.”

In the recent years, e-cigarettes has become massively popularly among teenagers. In February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated a 78 percent increase in high school students from 2017 to 2018. And last week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that the state is looking into six cases of severe lung illnesses that could be linked to vaping.

There has been one confirmed death from vaping too much in Illinois, and a possible second death is being investigated in Oregon. The CDC is working to pinpoint an e-cigarette ingredient, e-liquid, device, or purchase method that could link the cases.