Rhode Island to Issue a Ban on Flavored Vaping Products
Last Wednesday, Rhode Islands became the latest state to issue a ban on flavored vaping products. According to a recently published announcement , Governor Gina Raimondo issued an executive order, requesting that the state's Department of Health put together regulations stemming from this executive order.
Details on the Rhode Island Flavored Vaping Ban
Residents in the state of Rhode Island should expect the ban to go into effect shortly. The health director in Rhode Island indicated that regulations will likely be in place next week and the ban would last four months. There is an option to extend the ban by another two months. Rhode Island joins a long list of other states that have enacted similar bans on flavored vaping products.
Impact on the Residents in the State of Rhode Island
The residents of Rhode Island will likely see the sale of flavored vaping products come to a halt when the ban goes into effect next week. Two of the neighboring states, New York and Massachusetts, have enacted similar bans. Many people are concerned that these flavored vaping bans are punishing products that have nothing to do with the illnesses. There are also concerns that people who use these products regularly will turn to the black market or tobacco products. Those who use these products should look for safe alternatives while the ban is in place and investigations continue.
Take Action Against the Vape Bans
As vape bans continue to impact the residents of more and more states, it's most important now more than ever to not lose hope and stand up to support the industry and each other.
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, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Washington, or Rhode Island, 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.
Impacts on Small Businesses and the Vaping Industry
Protesters were seen arguing that the ban would adversely affect small businesses who depend on these products for their survival. They are concerned that the ban may hurt their sales. The vaping industry as a whole may start to feel the sting of these bans as the investigations by the CDC and FDA continue to unfold. Eventually, once the culprit of these illnesses is uncovered, safe products should return to the shelves.