michigan-governer

It’s a glum day for Michigan vapers as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer tries for a second time to ban vaping products. The previous ban fell under a proposed, “ temporary emergency” rule however, Whitmer plans on making this ban stick through executive rulemaking.

The attack on vaping comes twofold as an unrelated bill from the state legislature includes a tax and law ordering the formulation of a list of illegally available products. Both the bill and the attempted ban on flavors jeopardize the availability and affordability of vaping products however, the governor's pressing flavor ban trumps the pending bill.

After last year's attempt to ban flavors was temporarily passed as an  “emergency” flavor ban, Whitmer decided to advance the action with a proposal to place a permanent ban on flavored vaping products. Whitmer’s rule-making is supported through the Michigan Department of Health and Human services (MDHHS), This agency is also run by the governor. If passed the rule would place a permanent ban on all flavors including Nicotine e-liquids with the exception of tobacco-flavored products. Michigan vape shops could suffer severely under the weight of the imposed flavor ban leading many adult vapors to seek out flavors through the black market. Though adult vapers are less likely to go through such extremities, the adolescents that vape illegally will more than likely find a way to get what they want, even if it means risking their health.

On Oct. 20th MDHHS will hold a public hearing online allowing Michigan residents to convince lawmakers of how essential flavors are for adult vapors. Those that participate in the hearing are urged to explain or describe how vaping flavors improved their health or bettered their lives. 

 

 

 

The campaign for Tobacco Free-kids front group advocates for the governor's proposed rule. The campaign went as far as petitioning to support the flavor ban by hiring a well-known public relations firm to help support their cause.  The petition will be used in efforts with MDHHS as an individual public comment with signatories. The MDHHS will take the comments into consideration when making their final ruling which may take up to a year. The legislative joint committee on administrative rules will make the final ruling.

Claims have been made that Governor Whitmer is just now attempting to ban flavors in an effort to flourish politically, gaining a nod from the democratic party on the basis of her bold authority on the matter. However, Whitmer claims that her ruling to ban flavors came only after the epidemic of teen vaping.

The coincidence of Whitmer's emergency ban coincides with Bloomberg’s 160 million dollar anti-vaping campaign which some felt was a political stunt for publicity. Whitmer's eagerness to ban flavors creates a domino effect for other states to follow in her footsteps. Her emergency flavor ban was placed on hold by an injunction of the court. At the hearing Whitmer's knowledge concerning vaping was called into question because she couldn't articulate any facts about vaping outside of Wikipedia facts, clearly showcasing her selfish agenda to ban flavors with little care or understanding for those that vape. Whitmer continues to crusade against anti-vaping in attempts to grab headlines and head nods from Newyork City Mayor Micheal Bloomberg.

As for Michigan vapers, there is still a long road ahead, as the Michigan House of Representatives considers a bill that would add an 18 percent wholesale tax to vaping products, which include a licensing system for vapers, retailers, and a list of products allowed for sale. The bill would also raise the legal age to buy tobacco in Michigan to 21.

The Senate has already passed the bills but awaits a hearing from the House ways and means committee. Although the course of the bills will evidently change vaping, Michigan vapers are still hopeful that all will not be lost.