California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Monday that he is taking executive action to have the state crackdown on illicit e-cigarette products. In addition, a state-sponsored public awareness campaign will be rolled out to warn about the dangers that come with their use, including the serious lung-illness that has been attributed to it.
The executive action taken by Newsom instructs state regulators to “reduce youth vape consumption,” as well as, finding ways to ban illegal and counterfeit vaping products from the market.
Newsom has set aside $20 million for the awareness campaign, along with telling state officials to develop signs that would be placed on advertisements and retailers of e-cigarettes and accessories warning of the dangers of vaping.
This announcement comes off the heels of the Center for Disease Control’s reports linking a six deaths and 450 possible cases of a serious lung illness connected to vaping, as well as, the Trump administration’s plans to ban the sale of all flavored e-cigarette products. While Newsom is also for the flavor ban, he cannot do so through executive action because the move would require legislative approval.
Tony Abboud, director of the Vaping Technology Association, who represents vaping manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers supports the governor’s move.
In a statement released Monday, Abboud says that they are “ready to work with the governor to allow legal and responsible vape small business owners the ability to continue to operate in a regulated market selling to adult consumers who rely on their access to these life-changing products.” Abboud hopes that through this cooperation that “thoughtful and effective laws and regulations that restrict youth access and do not unfairly advantage combustible cigarettes.”
Information from the governor’s office says that 11% of all high school students in California have reported using vaping products. In addition, out of those who use any type of tobacco product, 80% report using these devices as their primary way of use.
