Nov 20, 2019

American Medical Association calls for ban on vaping products

Jacob Knutson

Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AFP via Getty Images

The American Medical Association called Tuesday for a ban on e-cigarettes and vaping devices and announced that it will lobby for state and federal laws, regulations and legal action to do so, per the AP.

Why it matters: The doctors' group said the action was prompted by a surge in underage teen vaping and the recent U.S. outbreak of lung illnesses linked to vaping that has killed at least 42 people and affected more than 2,000.

The big picture: The AMA declared its support for a ban on the same day that New York filed a lawsuit against vaping giant Juul for allegedly preying on and misleading teenagers with its ads and for failing to warn consumers about potential health risks associated with using its products.

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CDC confirms 2,758 hospital cases of lung injury linked to vaping

Photo: Eva Hambach/AFP/Getty Images

There are 2,758 confirmed hospital cases of lung injury associated with vaping in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and two U.S. territories, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports as of Feb 4.

The big picture: Nationally, most vaping-related patients with data on how they sourced products reported obtaining THC-containing products from "informal sources," per the CDC. The agency now recommends users should consider no longer vaping THC products, rather than its original claim to refrain from e-cigarettes.

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Mass. becomes first state to outlaw flavored tobacco and vaping products

Protestors against Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker's vaping ban on the front steps of the Massachusetts State House in Boston. Photo: David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill into law on Wednesday for a sweeping ban on the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products, including menthol cigarettes.

Why it matters: The Act Modernizing Tobacco Control law is the first of its kind prohibiting these products permanently and on a statewide basis. The ban on flavored vaping products will be effective immediately, while the outlawed sale of menthol cigarettes starts June 1, 2020 in the wake of the vaping epidemic, resulting in illnesses and deaths across the country.

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Massachusetts tees up sweeping flavored tobacco and vape ban

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) has expressed interest in vaping regulation. Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for National Clean Energy Summit

Massachusetts lawmakers passed the toughest ban on flavored tobacco and vaping products in the country on Thursday, proposing a 75% excise tax on vaping products and requiring the state's Medicaid program to cover tobacco cessation counseling, AP reports.

The big picture: Massachusetts now awaits Gov. Charlie Baker’s decision whether to sign the bill. Several states introduced bans and filed lawsuits to address the high rate of lung injuries and dozens of deaths due to vaping. A nationwide ban on flavored e-cigarette products, which was ready to be rolled out by the Trump administration, has been stalled, the Washington Post reports.

Go deeper: American Medical Association calls for ban on vaping products

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