Vaping crackdown: LA may be next to ban e-cigarettes; Washington bans flavored vapes

Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY

LOS ANGELES – This city, where healthy living is a devotion for many, could become the latest to crack down on the sale of electronic cigarettes used for vaping.

And Washington state became the latest Wednesday to institute an emergency ban on flavored vaping products.

Los Angeles would go further. A city council member has introduced a measure that would have the city join San Francisco, the first major municipality to ban the sale of all electronic cigarettes. In L.A.'s case, vaping devices would stay off the market until the Food and Drug Administration deems them safe.

"The city of Los Angeles is not content to wait and do nothing as the numbers of illnesses and even deaths associated with unregulated vaping devices increases daily," reads the motion from Councilmember Paul Koretz.

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Koretz cited U.S. statistics showing 1,080 cases of potential lung damage associated with vaping have required hospitalization as of last week, including 18 deaths. California has had about 100 cases, he said, including two deaths.

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It all amounts to a "public health crisis," he said.

Massachusetts also has instituted a four-month ban on all vaping products.

In Washington state, the State Board of Health adopted Gov. Jay Inslee's call for an emergency ban of flavored vaping products. Several other states have also adopted or are considering temporary bans.

The L.A. legislation follows another motion introduced last month, aimed at a one-year ban on only marijuana-related products that can be vaped. The new proposal would prohibit the sale of all e-cigarettes.

In this 2018 file photo, a man exhales smoke from an electronic cigarette in Washington, D.C.
In this 2018 file photo, a man exhales smoke from an electronic cigarette in Washington, D.C.

Both motions were referred to a committee that will recommend how far the city should go if it deems a crackdown necessary.

Also on Wednesday, first lady Melania Trump endorsed the idea of stores choosing not to sell e-cigarettes, saying it is an important step to protect young people from the dangers of vaping. She spoke at what was billed as a White House "listening session," where teenagers told her about their experiences using e-cigarettes.

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vape ban: Los Angeles to ban e-cigs? Washington bans flavored vapes