The vaping epidemic has grown rapidly; more deaths are rising and the number of people getting sick has increased. More states have made attempts to regulate tobacco companies.
California cities, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles are stepping up against the epidemic. Lawmakers this year proposed a statewide ban on flavored tobacco products. Local governments are taking the lead. Tom Butt, the mayor of Richmond, Calif. adopted a sweeping ordinance that bans the sale of all vaping products.
Center of Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said there have been 15 deaths linked to vaping and 805 vaping related lung illness cases reported across 46 states and the U.S Virgin Islands.
On Oct. 2 Los Angeles County banned flavored tobacco products, including e-cigs, chewing tobacco products and menthol cigarettes that appeal to young people, said USA Today.
The county board of supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the ban and to call on Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom to pass a statewide ban on vaping as health concerns are rising. The ordinance takes effect in the next 30 days. Retailers have 180 days to clear their store of flavored tobacco products and apply for updated licenses under new law.
Flavored tobacco products are “driving the current vaping epidemic among youth,” county dept. of public health director Barbara Ferrer told the state board last week. More than 100 calif. residents who vape have been hospitalized for lung damage, the state said.
Newsom said California will spend 20 million on public awareness campaign about the dangers of nicotine and cannabis products said USA Today. This will help a lot of people think twice about their health.
