Governor DeWine can say he’s taking aim at improving public health, but with a ban on flavored vaping he would miss his target by a mile.
Following Ohio raising the legal age for the purchase tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21 (set to take effect Oct. 17th), Governor DeWine is pushing legislators to ban sales of flavored vaping products. He announced a $3.3 million campaign to discourage vaping, and Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) has introduced House Bill 346 to ban flavored products and create a committee to investigate vaping’s impact on health.
If it is an honest investigation, such a committee would find vaping is a vitally important alternative to more dangerous traditional cigarettes, which has helped the health of untold millions of people.
The harm-reducing potential of vapes has been recognized by a wide range of public health agencies and organizations, including the FDA, the Royal College of Physicians, Public Health England, the American Cancer Society, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Some estimate that vape products are up to 95% safer than cigarettes.
Recent news stories about a “vaping crisis” have been glossing over the fact that the 22 reports of respiratory illness are overwhelmingly linked to the illicit vaping of THC products. Reporting on vaping illnesses is now mandatory by local health officials.
Teenagers should absolutely be discouraged from vaping, the Governor is certainly right that, “Nothing is more important than the safety of children.” However, the policies in HB 346 are dangerous to the health of Ohioans, and the health of the economy.
The ban would affect approximately 650 stores in the state, in addition to eliminating 85%-90% of flavored product sales by adults. The state already includes a wholesale tax of ten cents per milliliter of vaping liquids which took effect October 1st.
It is no wonder vapers, pro-vaping groups, and shop owners took to the Statehouse grounds Tuesday to rally for vaping. Legislators should put the brakes on any drastic bans that will create an underground black market that will deprive the state of revenue, and push users to take greater risks, and possibly switch back to smoking.