COLUMBUS – Governor Mike DeWine is urging lawmakers to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarette products, including menthol and mint, as concerns grow about the health effects of vaping.
One such Ohio bill was already introduced last week, banning the sale of flavored vaping products and creating a committee to study the effects of vaping products on health.
DeWine, a Republican, said Tuesday the ban is needed to protect children from addiction. Although other states have issued emergency bans, DeWine said he doesn’t have such authority and is seeking legislation, citing a 135 percent increase in high school students vaping since 2017.
“We must take necessary steps to protect Ohio’s young people from the cycle of addiction,” DeWine said.
The Ohio Health Department has identified 22 cases of severe breathing illnesses likely caused by vaping, and is investigating 19 additional cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 800 cases of similar lung illness have been reported across the U.S., including 12 deaths.
The state Health Department is also now requiring, rather than suggesting, that vaping-related illnesses be reported to them.
As part of Ohio’s recently-passed biennial budget, the sale of tobacco and vaping products to anyone under 21 is banned beginning Oct. 17 and a tax on vaping products went into effect Tuesday.