SEATTLE (AP) — Health officials in Washington state on Wednesday formally adopted a temporary ban on the sale of flavored vaping products amid concern over a lung illness that has sickened hundreds of people.
The vote by the state Board of Health came two weeks after Gov. Inslee issued an executive order asking for the emergency rule to be issued. The board’s vote was unanimous, with one member abstaining, and the rule is expected to take effect this week.
Hundreds of vaping supporters packed the public hearing in Seattle, and dozens of them testified against the order before the board, saying it will drive people to black market products or back to smoking tobacco.
The ban will apply to flavored products containing nicotine as well as the flavored products with THC.
The rule also requires sellers of vapor products to post warning signs about the risk of vaping-related lung illnesses. It would not apply at tribal shops, but the governor’s office said the administration is reaching out to tribal governments for their cooperation.