PROVIDENCE – Gov. Gina M. Raimondo on Wednesday ordered the R.I. Department of Health to issue an emergency order banning the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.
Health department officials are expected to develop new regulations over the next week, said Josh Block, a spokesman for the governor’s office.
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The order allows nonflavored vaping products to remain on store shelves, but includes a number of initiatives aimed at tracking the effects of vaping and imposing heavier regulation on all vaping products.
“As governor and as a mom, I’m concerned about the long-term effects of e-cigarette use, particularly on our young people,” said Raimondo. “Companies are specifically targeting teens with colorful packaging and flavors. But recent reported injuries and deaths make clear that we do not have a full understanding of the associated risks. It’s critical that we act now to protect our kids.”
The order comes two days after Massachusetts moved on a four-month ban of all vaping products. Gov. Charlie Baker recommended the ban this week, which was approved on Tuesday by the state’s Public Health Council, according to The Boston Globe.
Earlier, New York and Michigan announced bans on flavored e-cigarettes.
State leaders have said they are concerned about public health, including the increasing prevalence of use of e-cigarettes by teenagers. One in four high school seniors had vaped within the past 30 days, according to a national survey conducted by the University of Michigan, and released earlier this month.
Rhode Island health officials have so far not seen any confirmed cases of vaping-related lung illness. Massachusetts has reported 61 cases, according to the Massachusetts Department of Health.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a lengthy website page on the lung injuries being reported nationwide. It advises the public to refrain from vaping.
As of Wednesday, 530 cases had been reported from 38 states and one U.S. territory, it reported.
As part of Raimondo’s announcement, the R.I. State Police will investigate the sale of vaping products containing THC outside of the state’s medical-marijuana program, and the sale of any vaping products to those under 18. Officials are also looking into preventing an increase of vape shops within 500 feet from schools or after-school centers.
The governor ordered state health officials to develop recommendations to reduce the availability of vaping products to people under age 21, including posting warnings at vape shops about its health risks and determining how to crack down on the sale of flavored vaping products to youth.
Health officials are also tasked with making recommendations on uniform warnings and packaging for flavored e-cigarettes.
State-sponsored anti-smoking materials are to include warnings about vaping as well.
In addition, Raimondo has created a Vaping Advisory Group to monitor state and nationwide trends and illnesses related to vaping.
State officials are also looking into the application of a tobacco products tax on vaping products to support efforts on preventing youth vaping, and revising license requirements for distributing or selling vaping materials.
Elizabeth Graham is a PBN staff writer. She can be reached at Graham@pbn.com. Mary MacDonald is a PBN staff writer. She can be reached at MacDonald@pbn.com
