trending Market Intelligence /marketintelligence/en/news-insights/trending/ByMuAvXqEbJVwJIcyL54uA2 content esgSubNav
In This List

Massachusetts enacts 4-month ban on e-cigarettes, cannabis vaping products

Blog

Using ESG Analysis to Support a Sustainable Future

Video

S&P Capital IQ Pro | Powered by Expert Insights

Blog

Q&A: Streamlining Analytics for TCFD Reporting

Blog

Evergrande and the wider impact: a sentiment analytics based perspective


Massachusetts enacts 4-month ban on e-cigarettes, cannabis vaping products

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Sept. 24 issued a temporary statewide ban on the sale of e-cigarettes and other vaping products and declared a public health emergency in the state.

The state's four-month ban prohibits the sale of any flavored and nonflavored vaping product — including those that use tobacco and marijuana — in both retail stores and online. The ban is in effect until Jan. 25, 2020.

The decision comes after three confirmed cases and two probable cases of the vaping-related pulmonary disease were reported in Massachusetts. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating the outbreak of lung illnesses that have been related to the use of e-cigarettes.

"The purpose of this public health emergency is to temporarily pause all sales of vaping products so that we can work with our medical experts to identify what is making people sick and how to better regulate these products to protect the health of our residents," Baker said in a release.

The governor added that the administration will work with medical experts and state and federal officials to address the public health crisis. The administration could also consider legislation and regulations to curb the issue.

A total of 530 cases of lung diseases have been reported in the country, according to the CDC. All cases have a history of e-cigarette use, while some are tied to cannabis vaping. Seven people have died from these lung-related illnesses.

Recently, the CDC urged people to stop using e-cigarette products until it completes the ongoing investigation.

New York has banned the sale of e-cigarettes, while the state of Michigan has banned flavored vaping products.

The prohibitions come at a time when Trump administration is working on a plan to ban most flavored electronic cigarettes. E-cigarette makers are also facing increased scrutiny from the regulators. The Federal Trade Commission, Illinois and the District of Columbia are investigating Altria Group Inc.-backed Juul Labs Inc. over its marketing practices.

Recently, retail giant Walmart Inc. reportedly said it will stop selling e-cigarettes across all stores in the U.S.