Sep 16, 2019 - Health

California targets vaping as health fears rise

Ursula Perano

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) announced Monday that California will spend $20 million on an awareness campaign warning the public about vaping's dangers, AP reports.

The big picture: Vaping technologies for nicotine and cannabis have seen a sharp increase in popularity, but officials are concerned about the products' adverse effects. A recent surge in vaping-related illnesses caused the Center for Disease Control to release a statement last month broadly warning against the practice, specifically when using knockoff products.

California has seen approximately 63 cases of vaping-related illness and 1 death. There have been 6 deaths nationwide.
Newsom has asked California lawmakers to send him legislation banning the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, and asked officials to consider taxing e-cigarettes the same as traditional ones.
The campaign will also seek to address sales of counterfeit vapes.

What they're saying: A Juul Labs spokesperson said the company is in favor of efforts to target black market products.

“On reported illnesses, we have been monitoring the situation closely,” the spokesman added.

Go deeper: Nicotine addictions increasingly driving vape users back to cigarettes

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California targets vaping as health fears rise

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