Michigan bans flavored nicotine vaping products

 

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a statewide ban on flavored nicotine vaping products on Tuesday. The ban was issued to curb youth vaping in the state. 

Joanne Schemahorn is a co-owner of E-Cigs Works in Niles. She says this ban will have a huge affect on her store's bottom line. 

"It’s probably close to 80 or 90 percent of what we sell have a flavor or menthol flavor in it," said Schemahorn, "There’s hundreds of vape shops in the state of Michigan with thousands of employees and it will shut them down."

Officials argue the vaping industry uses these flavors to cater to younger users.

"With vaping, one of the ways that the industry gets kids hooked is with flavors like strawberry punch, juice boxes, lemon slice, watermelon, these things get kids interested," said Cass County Prosecuting Attorney Victor Fitz. 

The ban will be in place for six months and can be renewed by the state legislature. Retailers have 30 days to comply with the ban.