Michigan bans sales of flavored e-cigarettes

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) on Wednesday banned the sale of flavored e-cigarette products effective immediately in response to rising youth vaping rates in the state and across the country. 

“I’m proud that Michigan has been a national leader in protecting our kids from the harmful effects of vaping,” Whitmer said.

“For too long, companies have gotten our kids hooked on nicotine by marketing candy-flavored vaping products as safe. That ends today. This bold action will protect our kids and our overall public health.”{mosads}

Whitmer issued the emergency rules Wednesday but retailers, including online sellers, have 14 days to comply.

The rules will remain in effect for six months but can be renewed after that period. The ban includes the sale of menthol and mint flavors, but tobacco-flavored products can still be sold.

New York state also announced this week it would ban the sale of most flavored e-cigarettes.  

And last week, the Trump administration announced in several weeks it would issue rules banning the sale of all flavored e-cigarettes in the U.S.

Federal data shows youth vaping rates have spiked in recent years. 

About 27 percent of high school students recently used e-cigarettes in 2019, according to preliminary data released last week by the Food and Drug Administration, compared to 21 percent in 2018. 

The bans come as federal and state health officials investigate a string of vaping-related illnesses across the country. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said it’s investigating 380 confirmed or probable cases of lung disease associated with vaping. 

In states like New York, the illnesses have been tied to THC vaping products that are illegally manufactured and sold.