Massachusetts gov temporarily bans sale of vape products

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) on Tuesday announced a temporary ban on the sale of vape products, declaring a public health emergency over the series of illnesses and deaths across the country that have been linked to various forms of e-cigarettes. 

The ban on the sale of flavored and non-flavored vaping products will take effect immediately and last through Jan. 25, according to a statement from Baker’s office. It applies to all vaping products and devices, including tobacco and marijuana. 

The statement said that 61 cases of vaping-associated pulmonary disease have been reported to the state’s Department of Public Health.{mosads}

“The use of e-cigarettes and marijuana vaping products is exploding and we are seeing reports of serious lung illnesses, particularly in our young people,” Baker said in the statement. “The purpose of this public health emergency is to temporarily pause all sales of vaping products so that we can work with our medical experts to identify what is making people sick and how to better regulate these products to protect the health of our residents.”

Other states have also taken action as there have been nine U.S. deaths and hundreds of illnesses linked to vaping-related lung diseases. 

Michigan and New York have banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.