MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Vape store struggling with sales and layoffs due to WA flavored vaping ban

Oct 19, 2019, 12:35 AM

Some vape stores aren’t sure how long they can keep their doors open, a week into Washington’s four-month ban on flavored vaping products.

Cristian Rosas is with S.S.Y.E. Juice, a vapor wholesaler that operates five vaping shops across western Washington. He says sales have dropped 80 percent at each of their locations. Before the ban, their slowest location would sell about $1,200 in vaping products. That’s now down to $200 to $300 a day.

“And wholesale is now like zero because no one’s buying juice,” he added. Rosas worries they’ll have to dump tens of thousands of dollars in vaping liquid, which is set to expire in the coming weeks.

Health officials have identified 13 deaths nationwide as a result of vape-related illnesses. In total, federal health officials have identified over 805 cases of illness across 46 states and the Virgin Islands.

Temporary ban on flavored vaping products approved in Washington

Washington’s State Board of Health passed a ban on all flavored vaping products last week. The ban on flavored vaping products is temporary and will last 120 days.

If the ban continues, Rosas says he’s going to have to lay off his staff and close his doors.

“We’re trying to keep everyone, we’re trying to be loyal to them because they’ve been loyal to us, but if this doesn’t change then we would have to let them go. As of now, we’re just trying to weather it out,” he said.

Teen vape habits are easy to hide

“It’s very scary to see this go away because it definitely helps a lot of people … It’s people’s livelihood that they’re messing with. Some of these co-ops have their whole lives invested in this and not only for monetary reasons, but just wanting to help people quit smoking.”

MyNorthwest News

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

1 hour ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

‘Kia Boys’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

2 hours ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

3 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

4 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

5 hours ago

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

15 hours ago

Vape store struggling with sales and layoffs due to WA flavored vaping ban