Governor Kate Brown Issues Moratorium on Flavored Vaping Products

Media Contacts
Numi Lee Griffith

In Response, Consumer Group Calls for Permanent Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products

OSPIRG

Salem, OR:

Today, Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order to temporarily halt the sale of flavored vaping products in the state. The ban, which comes in response to another increase in cases of a mysterious lung illness linked to vaping, would last for six months. 

According to the Food and Drug Administration’s own analysis, 70 percent of youth e-cigarette users stated that they use these products because they come in flavors they like. The agency has announced plans to take flavored e-cigarettes off the market, except for those flavored as tobacco, pending review. 

Numi Griffith, OSPIRG’s Health Care Advocate, issued the following statement in response to Oregon’s action:

“Gov. Brown has taken an important step to protect kids from the grating struggle of nicotine addiction. Now state lawmakers should make the move permanent by passing legislation to prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. 

“Flavored vaping liquids like mango, mint and watermelon hook kids on a product that is dangerous, addictive, and could open a gateway to increased cigarette smoking. Given the FDA’s lackluster response so far to this vital public health issue, it’s up to the states to lead the way in permanently limiting vaping’s appeal and access to kids.”

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