Gov. Inslee introduces host of new restrictions on vaping products

Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee introduced legislation this week to further cement limitations on vaping in Washington state.

Expert: Vape bans will escalate health crisis, not fix it

The governor’s proposals include a measure to permanently ban all flavored vape products in the state, as well as limiting the amount of nicotine they can include, and strengthening requirements on manufacturing and disclosure of ingredients.

The proposal also includes limits to how vaping products can be marketed.

“Research consistently shows that flavors and associated advertising contribute to the appeal, initiation and use of tobacco products, including vapor products, particularly among adolescents and young adults,” the legislation reads.

This comes months after the state Health Department enacted a ban on the use of a chemical known as vitamin E acetate, thought by the Centers for Disease Control to be the culprit behind thousands of vaping-related illnesses in the U.S., as well as 57 deaths.

Washington state has seen at least 23 confirmed cases of those illnesses. That had it enacting a temporary ban on all flavored vape products in October 2019, in an effort to discourage a younger demographic of smokers.

A case in favor of a Washington vaping ban (for now)

“We are experiencing a very serious health crisis — it doesn’t have to be this way,” Gov. Jay Inslee said at the time of the initial ban on flavored products.

Inslee’s proposed bill will make that temporary 120-day ban a permanent fixture.

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