Massachusetts Issues Ban on All Vape Products
On Tuesday, Massachusetts Governor Charles Baker announced a "public health emergency" and issued an "emergency " four-month ban on all vape products .
Unlike New York and Michigan, Baker's ban is not limited to flavored e-cigarette products but all vape products, which includes devices and any flavored or non-flavored eliquids that contain nicotine or marijuana.
In his statement, Baker claimed that the Massachusettes government needed to "pause sales in order for our medical experts to collect more information about what is driving these life-threatening vaping-related illnesses. "
According to MassLive.com , a popular Massachusettes news platform, the Massachusetts Public Health Council unanimously approved the ban and it will go into effect immediately.
While the state's public health officials claim that they have received 61 cases of "vaping-related illness" in Massachusetts, the CDC has yet to identify the exact cause of these illnesses, let alone any evidence that confirms vaping is the cause.
While these ill-supported vape bans continue to spread like a witch hunt, vapers affected by these bans are facing difficult times. Most vapers rely on e-cigarettes as their only realistic alternative to smoking and some have actively vaped for more than a decade. Vaping is more than an activity or a lifestyle, it's part of who people are and the impact these vape bans will have on many vapers can be devastating.
As politicians in opposition to vaping prepare to push for the permanent ban of flavored vape products, and vape products altogether, it's crucial now more than ever to stand up and join the fight. Most of these politicians are making their decisions based on the actions of others or the false and limiting information that they're hearing from the media and big tobacco.
That said, it's important to not only stand up and fight for what you believe in but to give reason to our battle and educate those who are simply uninformed.
This industry is facing a big threat, but with the support of each vaper, there's no challenge this industry can't overcome. To find out how you can get involved and take action, check out the Call to Action resource centers below:
If you're a resident of New York, Michigan, or Massachusetts, our prayers go out to you. Keep your head up, the fights not over and every vaper is here fighting to stop these vape bans. If there's one thing we've learned over the years, it's that the vape industry can endure anything.