As vaping death toll rises, states take action

By Jasper Gleeson ‘20

With nationwide concerns about health damage and even deaths stemming from vaping and e-cigarettes, California, Massachusetts, Michigan and New York have taken action. 

On Sept. 9, 2019, the United States vaping death toll reached eight (with many more worldwide), prompting President Trump to suggest a ban on all flavored e-cigarettes.

New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced emergency executive action to ban the sale of flavored vape products, following the signage of a law which increased the minimum purchasing age for tobacco and vaping products to 21 in July.

"Fact is that vaping is dangerous," said Cuomo in an address to assembled reporters. "At a minimum, it is addicting young people to nicotine at a very early age." 

A cigarette (left) and an e-cigarette (right). Courtesy of Henry Ford Health Systems.

Cuomo’s executive plan would ban all flavors except for menthol and tobacco.

Michigan has passed the same flavor ban as New York, and Massachusetts and California have proposed legislation in the same vein.

In a tweet, President Trump voiced his support of vaping products as a method to quit smoking but denounced the appeal to younger people via flavors and flashy marketing.

“While I like the Vaping alternative to Cigarettes, we need to make sure this alternative is SAFE for ALL! Let’s get counterfeits off the market, and keep young children from Vaping!” posted Trump on Sept. 13.

Compared to cigarettes, the health symptoms of e-cigarettes have been researched far less, leading many to believe there is something causing these deaths researchers don’t fully understand yet. 

As the research continues to come in, however, more and more downsides of vaping have been revealed. Once seen as a harmless alternative to cigarettes, the truth about vaping is coming to light.