As a “reefer madness” style panic over vaping grips the country, the VV team has created this page to provide updates on the Vape Ban of 2021. On this page, we will keep the news about the ban current so you can keep on top of the law.
Vape Ban: March 29, 2020 – February 14, 2021
The latest addition to the Vape Mail Ban has made vape products even more difficult to buy – no matter where in the US you live.
The ‘Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act’, which came into effect on December 27, 2020, was the direct result of the CDC recording an upsurge in the use of vape products among high-schoolers.
Companies are now prohibited from using the US Postal Service (USPS) to deliver vaping products to consumers. This applies to products, such as e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, e-cigars, vape pens, refillable personal vaporizers, electronic pipes, and any part, component, or accessory of such a device (even if they’re sold separately).
There goes your free delivery of vape products!
The new vape mail ban even forces all other postal delivery services to check IDs to verify the customers’ age, deliver only to adults, and obtain their signatures at the points of delivery. Besides, these carriers are also obligated to label such products to indicate they contain cannabis products.
This further adds to the cost of the service provided by these private carriers and, in turn, the cost of the products.
Incidentally, even the UPS and FEDEX haven’t agreed to support this option.
So, come March 29, companies will have to look for alternative delivery options to get their vape products across to their customers.
This policy development, in effect, adds vaping products to the PACT Act (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act), which mandates online retailers to register with the federal government and collect local taxes before shipping any order. The companies must also submit a detailed monthly report to the tax department of each state it ships to, including details on every customer.
Since selling online is now clearly a more expensive affair, buying vape products online just got a lot costlier!
Vape Ban: March 22, 2020 – March 28, 2020
Almost 15,000 THC vape products are being recalled in Detroit and Bay City, Michigan. The products are under recall for either failing vitamin E acetate testing or for having never been tested.
And it was only a matter of time, but the Governor of Michigan in her March 23 Coronavirus address mentioned that vaping might possibly increase your risk of covid-19–although there is not yet evidence to support that idea. Anti-vaping parents’ groups are already pushing this idea.
Vape Ban: March 15, 2020 – March 21, 2020
The FDA has suspended vape shop inspections due to the coronavirus crisis. Nothing more on the vape ban front for now–people have better things to do.
Vape Ban: March 8, 2020 – March 14, 2020
So far things have mostly been quiet–maybe because people have better health-related issues to worry about for once. However, lab reports out of San Diego report that almost 80 percent of illicit cannabis vape cartridges they tested were “unfit for consumption.”
Also, Colorado has banned flavored vaping products, but now menthol cigarettes will be an exception. Also in Colorado, health officials have listed ten THC vape products that could contain MCT, which could be dangerous.
Meanwhile, Stanton Glantz is again under fire. More scientists are demanding another of his anti-vaping studies be retracted.
Finally, heads up, Florida Man. The legal age for vaping and smoking anything in Florida is now about to be 21, assuming the governor signs the bill that just passed the legislature.
Vape Ban: March 1 – March 7, 2020
It’s been really quiet this week in vape ban territory so far–maybe due to it being Super Tuesday. But a new study on EVALI findings in teens suggests that radiologists will play an important role in diagnosing the illness.
Vape Ban: February 23, 2020 – February 29, 2020
In the wake of an important retraction of a study from the AHA, University of Oxford Senior Researcher , a health behaviors specialist, published this article on medical disinformation. She emphasized how we still need more vigorous research in this area, but we do know that smoking is deadly–as bad research can be.
The State of Michigan has confirmed its fourth EVALI related death this week.
By May 12, vaping manufacturers must file applications to the FDA that prove their products benefit public health to keep them from being taken off the market. The FDA process itself is projected to cost hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for even small retailers who will need to file applications for each flavor, strength, and brand of product. This may drive many vape shops out of business–and that may be the point.
Meanwhile, fighting for its survival on the US market that it currently dominates, JUUL Labs is pitching a locked age verification system to the FDA. Connecticut has joined states such as Nevada, Florida, Oregon, and Texas in the suit against JUUL, bringing the total number of states investigating the company’s youth marketing practices to 39. Finally, JUUL continues to struggle, and is losing two top executives this week as it fights to survive.
Research from Germany sheds light on the only cases of vaping related illness the country has seen. Specifically, it seems the two German cases were not EVALI, but due to poisoning from adulterated e-liquids.
Closer to home, research in the US confirms what vapers already know: adults like flavors, too.
And by the end of the week, the House of Representatives passed a flavor ban that would be nationwide. House Democrats resisted an amendment to the ban that would have added “flavored THC products,” so the ban only concerns e-cigarettes. However, the legislation is unlikely to get past the Senate in any form.
Vape Ban: February 16, 2020 – February 22, 2020
Thus far the biggest news this week is that the American Heart Association’s journal has retracted the very study that incited much of the current vape ban panic. The study itself was immediately questioned by critics, because it implied that e-cigarettes were somehow dangerous even before they were used.
Whether or not this retraction will lead to repealed bans is another question.
Vape Ban: February 9 – February 15, 2020
The Trump Administration published its proposed budget on Monday, and in it was a proposal that would change a lot for vapers. First, the White House wants to remove all regulatory authority over tobacco products from the FDA and create a new, independent Center for Tobacco Products.
Even more importantly, the budget proposes ending medical marijuana protections at the state level. It would also block DC from legalizing.
Legal reaction to the budget has been swift and mostly negative, with NORML calling it an attack on states’ rights. Even Pro-Trump Congressperson Matt Gaetz (R-FL) indicates that the President’s attack on medical marijuana will fail.
Meanwhile, three new states, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, have joined in lawsuits against JUUL Labs. And the state of Maryland has banned all flavors of e-cigarettes, including products left untouched by the federal vape ban.
Vape Ban: February 2 – February 8, 2020
This week major news outlets such as CNBC are reporting that teens are exploiting a “loophole” in the federal flavor vape ban. This “loophole” is really just the walkback allowing refillable mods to continue to be used–and vape shops to stay in business. We’ll see how this develops.
Vape shops are now due to have all flavor pods off their shelves by Thursday, February 6 as the federal flavor ban takes effect. However, in Washington State, lawmakers have backed down on their total flavor ban for now.
Meanwhile, JUUL Labs prepares to testify before Congress. This comes in the most damaging week to date for JUUL, as a February 5 memo from Congress detailing their ongoing marketing to children has been made public.
In Virginia, decriminalization of cannabis possession marches forward as both the state’s house and senate have passed similar measures. Some version of a decriminalization bill is expected to reach the governor soon.
Vape Ban: January 26 – February 1, 2020
On January 29, The Wall Street Journal reports that NJOY, makers of sweet and fruity disposable e-cigarettes, are voluntarily stopping sales in the US–although they are not subject to the flavor ban. Why these products wouldn’t appeal to teens and shouldn’t be subject to the vape ban is a mystery only the FDA and the feds can understand.
Also on January 29, the BBC reports that in 2019 there were two deaths related to vaping in the UK which are still being investigated. They are not known to be related to EVALI or vitamin E acetate.
So far this week, California’s Bureau of Cannabis Control has reported test results from 10,000 vapes seized from unlicensed retailers. 75 percent of the black market products seized contained undisclosed chemicals such as vitamin E acetate.
Despite vape bans and comparable pushes across the country, new research from NYU found that most middle and high school students don’t vape or smoke, with “very few” doing so daily. The study found that over 86 percent of youth don’t vape—and most youth who do vape are also smokers.
Also this week, Vermont is on its way to legalizing retail sales of cannabis, not just possession and home growing, throughout the state.
Vape Ban: January 19 – January 25, 2020
Another week, another dumb ban idea, this time from Washington State. There, a lawmaker has introduced legislation that would ban all cannabis concentrates, basically, and limit THC in all products to 10 percent. Washington lawmakers are also considering a total ban on all flavored vaping products.
New Jersey’s vape ban on flavors has gone into effect.
The World Health Organization on Monday released a document warning the world about the dangers of e-cigarettes. That document is receiving major pushback from scientists in the UK: “The WHO has a history of anti-vaping activism that is damaging their reputation. This document is particularly malign,” wrote Peter Hajek, who directs the Tobacco Dependence Research Unit at Queen Mary University of London, in a statement quoted by Science. Public Health England maintains that e-cigarettes are 95 percent safer than smoking.
Meanwhile, on Instagram vaping content is still king, according to new research. That study, released January 22, found that despite various anti-vaping campaigns, including one from the FDA, vaping posts still outnumber anti-vaping content 10,000 to 1.
Back in San Francisco, JUUL Labs remains under fire, where it is reducing its corporate footprint. JUUL will be testifying to lawmakers soon, but a SF lawmaker is also receiving scrutiny for taking JUUL’s money despite authoring the vape ban for the city. JUUL and the four other companies who will testify before the House represent 97 percent of the American e-cigarette market.
In Michigan, authorities continue to track THC products that might contain vitamin E acetate. In Vermont lawmakers are considering a total ban of all flavored vape products.
Finally, researchers released a study of the New York State EVALI cases on Friday, January 24. It is the first comprehensive analysis of the products used by the patients with EVALI throughout the state. In the THC products, Vitamin E acetate was the main finding, but in the two nicotine products, no compound the team could link to EVALI was found.
Vape Ban: January 12 – January 18, 2020
It has mostly been a quiet week–so far. However:
As of January 14, the CDC has released an updated report on the EVALI crisis. According to the report, 84 percent of EVALI patients obtained the cannabis products that hurt them from the black market.
Meanwhile, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has introduced legislation that would ban all flavored vape products in the state permanently.
The CDC ended the week with an unexpected whimper of common sense, updating its EVALI guidelines. Now, they have backed off their broad recommendation that all people avoid vaping altogether, and are instead just giving that advice to youths, pregnant women, and “young adults.” (They are also recommending that we all avoid cannabis, but, you know–feds are gonna fed.)
And Trump ended the week with regrets–wishing he hadn’t gotten involved in the vape ban issue, specifically. Us too, sir.
Vape Ban: January 5 – January 11, 2020
As you already know, the Trump Administration’s partial flavor ban has finally come down. This means all “fruity” flavored pods are coming off the market, meaning I and others need to figure out how not to blow ourselves up with tanks or start smoking again. Awesome.
Meanwhile in California, lawmakers want you to hold their beers. They are considering legislation that would ban all flavored tobacco sales in all stores, period.
As of January 7, the State of Arizona has piled onto the JUUL lawsuit. On that same fun day for JUUL, Harvard scientists announced the discovery of a toxin in JUUL pods that can damage the lungs, longterm.
Also on January 7, a ranking Senator in Mexico signaled that legalization is a priority for lawmakers in the country this year. This could impact discussions of trafficking and black market products–and, for anyone paying attention, vape bans–in the American Southwest.
Finally, New Jersey is set to vote on a total flavor ban as of Monday, January 13, 2020.
Vape Ban: January 1 – January 4, 2020
Happy New Year! Too bad I’m still minding this stupid vape ban page.
The Trump Administration is now poised to launch its vape ban. The federal ban will cover all flavored pods except menthol and tobacco, but not all flavors, period, such as those used in open tank systems. As such, it is seen as a compromise.
Ironically, menthol is seen by many as the most problematic tobacco flavor. Also ironically, the move to ban has already been rejected by anti-vaping advocates as a failure to protect children.
Amusingly, JUUL Labs is having trouble stopping its employees from vaping. Go figure.
Meanwhile, researchers have further strengthened the case against vitamin E acetate as the cause of EVALI.
Finally, as of January 3, U-Haul has announced it will no longer hire–or even interview–anyone who smokes or vapes nicotine. The policy goes into effect February 1.
Vape Ban: December 22, 2019 – December 31, 2019
Well, we knew it was coming. Things have been quiet with the holidays, but the legal age for selling all tobacco products nationwide is now 21. Perhaps with this change and the CDC’s vitamin E confirmation, ban activity will slow.
Maybe not, though. New York’s Governor Cuomo is already proposing a permanent ban.
Vape Ban: December 15 – December 21, 2019
As of Sunday, December 15, the medical marijuana state of Ohio has banned two additives for all vaping products: medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) and polyethylene glycol (PG). Both are commonly found in vaping products, including both e-cigarettes and some THC products.
Monday, December 16, New York City banned all e-cigarette flavors. The NYC vape ban is now the largest nationwide.
As of Tuesday, December 17, additional school districts in Vail, Colorado and the Bay Area had joined the lawsuit against JUUL.
Also on Tuesday, Michigan officials began recalling products compromised by vitamin E acetate. Disturbingly, these products were distributed by licensed caregivers through regulated channels.
On Wednesday, December 18, Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), chair of the Senate Banking Committee, stated that he continues to oppose the Cannabis Banking Bill that recently passed in the US House of Representatives. He has listed some proposed changes which include a 2 percent THC potency limit on products and a prohibition on sales of either high-potency vaping devices or edibles that might possibly appeal to children for any qualifying cannabis businesses to access financial and banking services.
Unsurprisingly, those working in both the cannabis industry and financial services oppose these changes to the bill. Meanwhile, as even very conservative states like Alabama and South Dakota appear to be voting on medical marijuana in 2020, the problem will only increase in scope.
Philadelphia passed three laws on Thursday, December 19. First, after a three-month education and warning period, flavored and high-nicotine e-cigarettes will be sold in 18-and-up stores only. After a 60-day education period, candy- and fruit-flavored cigarillos are totally banned in Philadelphia. And all city properties, including parks and recreation centers, are now both smoke- and vape-free.
Also on Thursday, December 19, the CDC provided an EVALI update, clarifying that vitamin E continues to be strongly linked to the outbreak. The CDC added that there were 2,506 hospitalized cases of lung injury connected to vaping in the US as of December 17 in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The number of cases continues to drop, as it has since September.
Also on Thursday, Congress approved raising the age for sale of both traditional tobacco and e-cigarettes to 21. On Friday, the President signed the bill, making it law. The 21-year-old age restriction will take effect in six months.
On Friday, December 20, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (US DEA or DEA) and the FDA announced their seizure of 44 websites for selling illegal vape cartridges. The seizure was part of Operation Vapor Lock: a coordinated, interagency law enforcement effort intended to take on black market vaping products.
Meanwhile, labs in Massachusetts are working hard to help dispensaries get vape products back on shelves. Consumers are able to bring products in for testing if they are concerned about sourcing or additives.
Also on Friday, December 20, Colorado reports new rules banning polyethylene glycol, Vitamin E acetate, and medium chain triglycerides (MCT Oil) from all vape products in the state. These rules are similar to those already passed in Washington and Ohio.
December 20 also saw Instagram and Facebook announce a plan to ban e-cigarette influencers from their platforms. The move comes in response to an ad watchdog complaint.
Finally, a woman filed a lawsuit against JUUL and other vape companies including PAX Labs. The woman claims she got lipoid pneumonia from using e-cigarettes.
Vape Ban: December 8 – December 14, 2019
On Tuesday, December 10, the FDA called a lawsuit filed by the Vapor Technology Association a “collateral attack,” asking a court to dismiss it. The lawsuit itself asks the court to strike down a 10-month deadline the FDA previously set for e-cigarette companies.
Also on Tuesday, the city of Palo Alto, California banned e-cigarette sales citywide. The Palo Alto vape ban is modeled after the San Francisco vape ban, expanding its range.
Several Kentucky school districts have joined the lawsuit against JUUL.
It appears that Germany may soon drop its opposition to banning e-cigarette advertising. The EU regulates e-cigarettes and advertising of them fairly closely, compared to the US.
December 10 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the FDA can regulate e-cigarettes just like tobacco products. The ruling did not extend to whether the products are more or less safe, or whether companies can advertise, or how. Now, though, vape companies like JUUL will follow the same kinds of strict regulations that Big Tobacco companies follow.
More confirmation of black market products being to blame for minors accessing THC came Tuesday, December 10. A Fresno, California man was arrested for selling THC products, including vape pods, to minors via social media.
On Wednesday, December 11, Boulder County, Colorado became the first local government in the state to sue JUUL labs. In doing so Colorado joins New York and other states in attacking JUUL, which holds almost 75 percent of the US e-cigarette market share.
This Thursday, December 12 the Massachusetts vape ban is set to expire unless lawmakers act.
Also on Thursday, two GOP lawmakers in Wisconsin introduced regulatory framework for medical marijuana in the state. Although the bill faces long odds and probably will not pass, this latest move is a real sign of lawmakers trying to reach consensus on an issue that matters to voters.
Meanwhile, as the vape crisis rages on and the FDA prepares to regulate not just e-cigarettes but also CBD, Dollar General stores in Alabama prepare to carry CBD products.
As of Thursday, December 12, Colorado State Senator Rhonda Fields, an Aurora Democrat, backed off her vape ban position as explained to Colorado Public Radio in November. Instead, she and other Colorado democrats are now listening to voters, and no longer intend to support banning flavors.
More reasonable reporting in Newsweek on the 12th highlights a report from Science. In it, researchers argue that “evidence warns against prohibitionist measures” such as vape bans which do more harm than good.
That didn’t stop the Illinois Attorney General from joining the JUUL lawsuit on Thursday. Also that day, a Georgia lawmaker “predicted” restrictions on e-cigarettes to come, and a Kentucky lawmaker has proposed a vape ban in that state.
Meanwhile, although New York’s flavor ban is still held up in court, it has renewed its efforts to push the vape ban through, with lawmakers considering adding menthol to its list. The New York vape ban was extended for 90 days on December 12, and New York Governor Cuomo also wants insurance companies to cover the costs of e-cigarette cessation just as they for traditional smoking cessation.
More international vape ban developments: South Korean officials have linked some e-cigarette ingredients, specifically Vitamin E acetate discovered in e-liquids, to illness. The Vitamin E acetate was found in JUUL products and others that supposedly do not use it, so this may be an ongoing black market issue.
Finally, also on Thursday, December 12, the Massachusetts vape ban was lifted from cannabis stores–for now. Where to buy vaping products in Massachusetts is still confusing for now, at least from online.
Meanwhile, happy Friday! As of December 13, cannabis is legal in Maine and businesses are taking applications. How this will affect ban movement remains to be seen.
Also as of Friday, the Montana vape ban is being challenged in court, but for now it still stands. This means for now vaping is illegal in Montana and officials will enforce that.
Vape Ban: December 1 – December 7, 2019
As of Monday, December 2, at least one Kentucky school district joins the lawsuit against JUUL. The district also plans to sue at least one other e-cigarette company. More than 12 school districts around the country have joined the lawsuit, including some of the largest.
Also as of Monday, officials are investigating the first death caused by vaping-related lung injuries in Belgium. This is of particular interest since regulations are much stricter there.
Meanwhile, as of Tuesday, December 3, JUUL officially can’t cut a break and has been hit with a sexual harassment lawsuit. The suit, filed by former employees, is just the latest legal hurdle for the company.
Also on Tuesday Alaska confirmed its first case of EVALI, ending its holdout status. Now EVALI has reached all 50 states.
On Wednesday, the State of Minnesota sued JUUL for unlawfully targeting youth with its ads. Also on Wednesday I saw reports of insurance rates for e-cigarette users climbing.
As of Wednesday the American Lung Association has taken up a new slogan: Quit, Don’t Switch. This is, of course, very useful to smokers, because none of us ever considered just quitting. Thanks, ALA.
Thursday, December 5 saw officials in the city of Los Angeles gather to discuss an e-cigarette ban.
That same day, the CDC released data on youth vaping for 2019: about 1 in 4 high school students and 1 in 10 junior high school students are currently vaping in the United States. This is already illegal.
On December 5, CVS Health CEO Larry Merlo stated publicly that he saw a “Hello Kitty” logo on a vaping device years ago. He also stated that he “knew” then that something was wrong. (Like the people who have never heard of whipped cream vodka, he has apparently never driven behind the army of Hello Kitty decal cars driven by grown women around here.)
By December 7, the CDC released a list of 152 products that have caused EVALI. According to the CDC: Dank vapes were involved in 56 percent of cases, followed by TKO products in 15 percent, Smart Cart in 13 percent, and Rove in 12 percent. There were also some regional differences. In short, no one brand is to blame.
Experts still believe that additives are to blame, and now say that the worst of the outbreak may now be over. (This has not stopped the CDC from warning the public that none of *these* products are safe–and that no *tobacco* products are safe generally. See the problem here?)
Vape Ban: Week of November 22 – November 30, 2019
Happy whatever you may celebrate, if you do…and if you can still vape legally, be grateful.
Friday, November 22 saw the planned listening session on vaping take place at the White House. During the session Trump announced that he would set a minimum age of 21 for vaping. He also anchored his 180 on vaping in the fact that banning popular flavors can lead to more black market problems.
Also on Friday, the state of Michigan banned all THC vape products. The state also banned the use of vitamin E acetate in any vape products.
Critics argue that the meeting was heavily populated by anti-vaping advocates, Mitt Romney among them.
Monday, November 25, Palm Beach County joined the JUUL lawsuit. On Tuesday, November 26, Washington DC joined the suit.
On Wednesday, November 26, Massachusetts told the entire nation to hold its beer, enacting the strictest vape ban yet. The law bans all flavors, including menthol traditional cigarettes. It also places a 75 percent excise tax on e-cigarettes.
Also on Wednesday, Brevard County, Florida joined the JUUL lawsuit.
Vape Ban: Week of November 15 – November 21, 2019
New weekend, new vape ban stuff. Super. I’m feeling really grateful.
On Friday, November 15, New Jersey state lawmakers advanced their statewide ban of all e-cigarette flavors. The New Jersey “vape ban” is really more of a general flavor ban, as it applies to traditional menthol cigarettes, too.
Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Supreme Court kept that state’s vape ban in place.
Following Thursday’s ban of vitamin E acetate in all THC products in the state of Ohio, on Friday medical marijuana businesses in the state have issued reassurances to patients that products are safe.
As of Friday, the Trump Administration is “reconsidering” the vape ban based on the impact such a move would have on “jobs.”
And if you noticed that your iPhone’s vape app stopped working today, you’re not alone. Apple removed all vaping and e-cigarette apps from the App Store today. In their public statement on the move, Apple cited health officials that call EVALI a “public health crisis” and simply stated, “We agree.”
And, surprise! Sunday, November 17, the Trump Administration reversed course on its vape ban. Reportedly, President Trump is indeed concerned that angry vapers will vote against him should he back such a ban.
Monday, November 18 we learned that the House would be approaching a vote on decriminalizing cannabis. That’s a long way from reality still, but the “vaping crisis” has managed to light a few fires, it appears.
On Monday, the state of Washington followed Ohio, banning vitamin E acetate in all vaping products. Officials in Louisiana reported the state’s first vaping related death.
Forbes reported on the poll that is allegedly the reason the Trump Administration reversed its position on the vape ban. If accurate, the idea of the “vaper vote” being a pressure point is working.
Also on Monday California’s attorney general sued Juul, alleging the company’s ads “reached” and “targeted” youth.
On Tuesday, a House committee approved a sweeping ban on flavored tobacco, including vaping products. The House vape ban is more aggressive than the Trump Administration’s formerly proposed vape ban. The measure would set a buying age of 21 nationwide, ban all flavored tobacco products, and ban online sales.
The same day, the American Medical Association (AMA) called for a total ban on all e-cigarettes and vaping products. Presumably this would include all THC vaping products as well.
A conservative women’s group continued to pressure President Trump to revisit his vape ban idea. Oddly, pressure also came at Trump from Brutal dictator Duterte of the Philippines, who argued that he will ban e-cigarettes and arrest vapers. Trump has praised Duterte’s drug war tactics in the past.
On Tuesday Michigan issued its first recreational marijuana licenses, ushering in a new era in the state. Also that day Michigan banned all vape products containing vitamin E acetate.
And CNN reports that as of Tuesday JUUL has been hit with at least five additional lawsuits. Among those is the school district suit which both the legally influential states of California and New York have joined.
Wednesday, November 20, Philadelphia’s vape age restriction moved forward. The law would make the vaping age in the city 21.
Also on the 20th, the Trump Administration announced a meeting with both vaping advocates and those who want the vape ban.
Meanwhile, Senators grilled Trump’s pick for FDA commissioner about vaping. Stephen Hahn of the MD Anderson Cancer Center has promised “aggressive action” but has not committed to the vape ban.
On Thursday, Quebec banned cannabis vape products for the time being.
Vape Ban: Week of November 8 – November 14, 2019
On Friday, November 8 the CDC announced it had made a “breakthrough” in the EVALI saga. Now the CDC claims that ALL cases are linked to Vitamin E acetate in the vaped products.
Also this week, doctors now have a clinical guide to treating people with the vaping sickness or EVALI. The researchers released the best practices to the public. Typical treatment involves steroid medication and close monitoring in most cases.
Doctors in New York created an algorithm designed to identify and treat EVALI. Basically, it will simply help them use the clinical signs more easily to diagnose.
The CDC has released key facts about Vitamin E acetate for the public. The agency also confirmed that as of November 5, there were 2,051 cases and 39 fatalities from EVALI reported to CDC from 49 states, the District of Columbia, and 1 U.S. territory.
On Saturday, November 9, vapers gathered in Washington DC to deliver a simple message: we vape and we vote. Find the website here. Unhappy about bans around the country, this new single-issue voting block may cause problems for various elected officials, including the President.
On Monday, November 11, researchers reported on the case of a 16-year-old patient with “life-threatening” lung inflammation. This case is not related to EVALI, the “vaping illness,” but instead a kind of extreme immune response to something in the e-liquid. The researchers conclude that: doctors should consider a reaction to e-cigarettes when treating atypical respiratory illness and that it’s risky to assume e-cigarettes are “much safer than tobacco.”
Also on November 11, doctors performed the first double lung transplant necessitated by vaping related lung damage. The patient is 17 years old. That same day, Colorado banned the use of vitamin E acetate by the state’s medical marijuana industry. Michigan lawmakers are urging the same step.
Now that flavor bans are popular, lawmakers are still on the fence about menthol. Some organizations are saying menthol should also be banned.
Monday November 11 also saw President Trump announce a meeting with “vaping industry” representatives and others. However, it’s not clear who will attend. On November 12, President Trump announced his support for raising the age for buying e-cigarettes to 21.
Also as of November 12, ALL vaping products, including medical marijuana vaping products, are quarantined in Massachusetts until further notice. This is reportedly due to a lack of testing protocols for vitamin E and “other potential ingredients of concern.”
Then came Wednesday, November 13. On that day:
- In an unusual turn during bans popping up all over, the highest court in Mexico ruled that e-cigarettes should be allowed to be sold in the country just as traditional cigarettes are.
- An ad campaign from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and Truth Initiative aimed directly at President Trump launched. The campaign urges Trump to ban all e-cigarette flavors, including menthol and mint. This no doubt has to do with the administration’s perceived wavering on the issue and the FDA’s lack of a final answer.
- A West Virginia state senator has asked the state’s governor to ban all flavored e-cigarette products. The request also asks the governor to declare a public health emergency.
- The state of New York raised the age for buying all tobacco and e-cigarette products to 21.
- NBC reports that more vapers are making their own vape juice–no surprise as more bans pop up. In the same article, they report that this can be dangerous. Maybe bans are dangerous, too.
- Vitamin E acetate was found in some samples taken from THC vape products in Massachusetts.
- The San Diego Unified School District voted to join the lawsuit suing Juul Labs.
- The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer issued a policy statement that “strongly discourages” vaping e-cigarettes by anyone who does not already smoke. (In other words, they won’t go so far as to suggest something that will push people back to regular cigarettes.)
So THAT was a day in vape ban land.
On Thursday, November 14, preliminary reports from Belgium suggest the country may have had its first vaping-related death. However, local doctors caution that the cause of the vaper’s death is as yet unknown.
Also on Thursday, Ohio banned vitamin E acetate from THC vape products. In New Jersey, lawmakers in both houses are considering legislation that would ban all flavored e-cigarettes, including mint and menthol. A judge in Washington denied a temporary restraining order Friday, leaving the state’s flavored e-cigarette ban in place.
However, an Oregon court temporarily blocked the state’s ban on flavored cannabis vapes on Thursday. Last month the court stopped a similar ban on e-cigarette flavors.
Vape Ban: Week of November 1 – November 7, 2019
Yes, I’ve been dreading updating this page. But you know, site ladies are gonna site lady. So here we go.
On Friday, November 1, China called on online sellers of e-cigarette products to shut down. The intent behind the move is to curb online ordering of vape products by teens.
On Monday, November 4, the American Lung Association lambasted Ohio’s vape ban, calling it “meaningless.” The ALA’s position is that there are loopholes in the ban.
Also on Monday, West Virginia authorities made progress tracking down black market THC products laced with heroin. These products were responsible for several illnesses in the state.
On Tuesday, November 5, research revealed that teen vapers prefer mint above all other flavors. This finding complicates the vape ban discussion, because until now mint and menthol were possible exceptions to most proposed flavor bans.
Also on November 5, a Massachusetts judge ruled that the state’s vape ban did not apply to medical marijuana patients.
Seattle school districts joined the lawsuit against Juul this week. This is the largest school district to date to join the lawsuit.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, November 6, health officials in the EU issued an advisory against mixing vape liquids. This advisory is based on the current outbreak of EVALI here in the US.
A similar advisory was issued by American health researchers on the same day. In essence, however, the American advisory simply says that vaping is “not worth the risk” since the risks are unknown. Clever.
Also on November 6, San Francisco voters upheld the citywide vape ban.
Seeing the writing on the wall, Juul halted even sales of mint products in the US on November 7. The company makes the move in light of the research discussed above, and probably anticipating a federal ban.
The Trump administration’s ban on all flavors but tobacco, or possibly tobacco and menthol, is imminent. On November 6, administration officials announced that they would make the full details of the policy public soon.
Vape Ban: Ongoing Developments October 2019
It’s been a busy time in vape ban territory.
On Monday, the Illinois state legislature will take up a ban of all e-cigarette flavors.
A Utah judge has also temporarily blocked the state’s vape ban. The court rejected the ban saying it presented no evidence to support it.
Meanwhile, Minnesota lawmakers have proposed a vape ban in their state.
Back in Wisconsin, the case of the Huffhines brothers, who have been charged with a massive black market THC operation, is growing. Now four of the five people charged in the case have pled not guilty, and the case is moving forward.
Tuesday, more than 50 groups, from the American Academy of Pediatrics to the American Heart Association, signed onto a letter to the Trump Administration. The letter is insisting the administration stick to a total flavored vape ban, and not make exceptions even for menthol or mint flavors.
Wednesday, Texas state legislators announced they would consider the legality of vaping.
As of Thursday, October 31, 2019, the CDC confirmed 1,888 lung injury cases nationwide that are connected to vaping. There have also been 37 deaths in 24 states. Alaska remains the only state without any cases.
Vape Ban: Week of October 14 – October 20, 2019
Bowing to pressure (and now we know why), Juul has announced that it will stop selling all e-cigarette flavors in the US except tobacco, mint, and menthol. The company plans to keep that policy in place “unless and until” the FDA approves each flavor.
On Friday, October 18, a judge blocked Montana’s flavored vape ban. The temporary injunction will stop the ban for 120 days.
As of Thursday, October 17, there were vaping related fatalities in every US state except Alaska–1,479 total.
On Wednesday, CDC official Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat corrected the idea that the “vaping crisis” is linked to legal, state-run cannabis shops. She instead emphasized the fact that most illnesses appear to be linked to black market products.
Also on Wednesday, Florida’s Attorney General announced an investigation of more than 20 e-cigarette companies. Meanwhile, an Oregon court has temporarily blocked the state’s ban on flavors. Cannabis producers in Ohio are hoping to get ahead of this issue by pledging to list ingredients.
Tuesday some vape shops in Michigan are celebrating as a judge has temporarily blocked the state’s vape ban. The court found that there is evidence that if vaping is banned, people in Michigan will go back to smoking–go figure.
In an unexpected display of logic, regulators in Colorado are expected to ban only certain vape additives this week. Those additives, which can be used as thinning agents and may be harmful, include Vitamin E Acetate, Polyethylene glycol (PG), and Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT oil).
The hearing on the proposed Colorado ban happens Tuesday, October 15. The discussion over MCT oil is likely to be lively, as this is in many CBD and THC products.
Meanwhile, Pax Labs, owned by Juul, is facing scrutiny as the heat on Juul continues to rise. However, Pax products have not been involved in any vaping illness cases.
Vape Ban: Week of October 7 – October 13, 2019
On Wednesday, October 9, Texas reported its first vaping death. Also, a team published a scientific review of vaping lung injuries for clinicians to use as they diagnose patients.
As of Tuesday, October 8, Montana joins the list of states with bans of flavored vapes. Montana’s ban is reportedly temporary as are some others.
On Tuesday New York City also filed a federal lawsuit against 22 online e-cigarette companies. The city’s argument is that these companies targeted young people with sweet flavors and created a public nuisance.
Also, a Los Angeles city councilman has proposed a vape ban throughout the city.
As of Monday, October 7, both Walgreens and Kroger joined the list of companies who will no longer sell vape products.
On the other hand, it still seems likely that the Senate will consider some form of cannabis banking legislation.
Also on Monday, FLOTUS Melania Trump called for an end to marketing of e-cigarette products to youth. (This is already illegal, to be clear.)
The Heartland Institute published research and commentary indicating that a flavor ban does not actually address the recent illnesses, is unlikely to impact youth vaping, and will decimate small vaping businesses.
Meanwhile, on Monday Massachusetts reported its first death linked to vaping. In Minnesota, two medical patients have acquired the illness, but it is not clear whether vaping is the only cause of the problem.
A study by a lab in Colorado claims that what connects all of these illnesses is cheap metals in welds. We are watching to see if this is replicated anywhere else.
Finally, on Monday the State of Washington clarified that its flavor ban extends only to flavors like “mango” or “cream,” but not tobacco or cannabis related flavors like terpenes. Your Pink Panties are safe for now.
Vape Ban: Weekend of October 4 – 6, 2019
Well, let’s hope it’s a quiet one. For now, though:
Oregon’s governor has indeed banned flavored e-cigarettes. This comes despite an acknowledgement that most trouble seems to be caused by black market cannabis products.
Vape Ban: Week of September 30 – October 4, 2019
As of October 1, Ohio has joined the fray, with Governor Mike DeWine calling for a statewide vaping ban on all flavored e-cigarettes. The ban would not cover tobacco flavored products.
Meanwhile, officials in North Carolina are blaming an outbreak in “lipoid pneumonia” on vaping, although other experts have said that the current crisis is both distinct from classical lipoid pneumonia and not linked to regular e-cigarettes.
Also on October 1, Virginia reported its first vaping death. However, the state’s Attorney General still supports legalization.
October 3 was a busy day.
New Mexico took a more measured approach to the possible vaping injury issue on Thursday. In NM, vaping products will now have warning labels on them, at least until the issue is resolved. Florida is considering another more cautious fix: raising the vaping age to 21.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds called the vaping issue “alarming” on October 3. Although there is not yet a vape ban in Iowa…wait for it. Legislation is coming in Georgia in 2020, we also learned on the 3rd.
On Thursday the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began a formal investigation into the vaping industry’s advertising practices. This includes Juul, but also many other companies. Also that day, UK tobacco company Imperial Brands CEO Alison Cooper stepped down amidst the “backlash.”
The state of Arkansas has also joined several California cases against Juul. The cases are being consolidated in the courts. We can probably expect to see other cases and other states get involved in this over time.
Speaking of the courts, a New York court Thursday blocked the state’s vape ban from going into effect with less than one day to spare. However, state health officials seem confident that the vape ban will move forward after the scheduled hearing on October 18.
A fourth suspect has been arrested in the Wisconsin black market vape product case. This further highlights the connection and the dangers vapers are facing from illegal, contaminated products.
Meanwhile, protestors in Massachusetts took to the streets Thursday to protest their state’s ban. This morning, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy added his voice to the panic, calling for a ban on e-cigarette flavors.
Vape Ban: Weekend of September 27-29, 2019
The State of Washington has now joined Michigan, Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts in a flavored vape ban.
Lawmakers in both South Carolina and Vermont are now considering vaping bans. On the other hand, the vaping industry is fighting back, suing ban states.
Georgia and Florida have seen their first deaths attributed to the “vaping illness.” Alabama also has a new case. This brings the total number of deaths to 12.
A state judge in New York has denied a request to delay the imposition of a statewide vaping ban on flavored e-cigarettes. Although the ban itself is only for 90 days and is supposedly in place for emergency regulations, it may be extended. New York has also added menthol to its ban.
However, black market THC vape products have been found across Nassau County, New York, highlighting the futility of the vape ban. (No surprise, given that at least one black market company that officials have connected to the illness is verified on Instagram. As lawmakers focus on what we the consumers are doing, they seem to be overlooking these kinds of things.)
Meanwhile, Congress is debating e-cigarette ads as Juul CEO Kevin Burns steps down. The company appears to see the writing on the wall and has stopped all US ads for now.
This week a survey undercut the hype behind the ban: youth safety. Although youth vaping rates are up, youth smoking rates are down. Given that smoking is a proven killer, this seems to imply that teens are safer than before.
Finally, as health officials at the CDC continue to say vaping THC is unsafe, officials elsewhere have a different message. State level officials in places like Pennsylvania reassure consumers that products are safe, as does the scientific and health community outside the US.
Vape Ban: Week ending September 20, 2019
You already know from following VaporVanity.com that Michigan and New York have banned vaping in some form statewide. President Trump has floated a nationwide vape ban.
On the other hand, vaping remains safe overseas. This may be because of a connection between black market products and the mysterious vaping illness.
Now, here are the most recent vape ban developments.
On Friday, September 20, four US Senators sent a letter to the US FDA demanding that all cartridge- and pod-based e-cigarettes be banned from the market. The products would stay off the market until companies could prove they were safe.
The bipartisan group includes Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
(Meanwhile in the House, a federal safe harbor banking bill for legal cannabis businesses will be put to a vote this week. Apparently vape ban 2019 is not controlling everything yet.)
Also on September 20, Walmart announced that it will stop selling vape products. The retailer will no longer stock the products at Walmart or Sam’s Club after current inventory runs out.
Monday, September 23, officials in Kansas announced a second vaping illness death. We are watching the state for vape ban developments.
Of course, few alarmists are missing a chance to warn the public. The version we saw on Monday was this: a medical expert cautioning that people who vape are more susceptible to the flu because they have “blunted” their immune systems.
As of Tuesday, September 24, Massachusetts enacted the strictest statewide vape ban yet. For the next four months, ALL vape products will be banned in Massachusetts.
Also, a Washington state man is suing six cannabis firms, claiming their products gave him the vaping illness. It was only a matter of time; here come the lawsuits.
On Wednesday, September 25, New York and Connecticut governors met to consider legalization in both states. The meeting and movement was prompted by a recognition that the current outbreak has at least as much to do with regulation as with vaping.
The FDA told Congress that e-cigarettes “are not safe” today as well–although they have been on the market for 10 years. The commissioner also confirmed that their policy on vapes will be coming in the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, Rhode Island joined Michigan and Massachusetts in a statewide vaping ban. The vape ban does not apply to cannabis or unflavored tobacco products and is allegedly aimed to prevent youth vaping.
As the (not so) great vape scare continues, experts watch the CBD scene for impact. Specifically, they are concerned that new attention to what’s in CBD products—which is probably a good thing—may bring a maelstrom of regulations, many of them harmful.