We’re learning more about the federal ban on certain vaping products and more about how northern Michigan feels about the new rules.
We first told you about the new rules put forward by the Trump administration Thursday night.
The regulations ban the sale of fruit, candy, mint and dessert flavors, which are popular among high school students.
This comes as Michigan had its flavored vaping ban put on hold.
In Oct., a judge blocked Governor Whitmer’s ban on flavored e-cigarettes.
The judge expressed concern about the impact this could have on adults using vaping as an alternative to cigarettes.
This national ban would not include flavors like menthol and tobacco.
This is different than what the Trump administration originally said that they were going to put forward.
“I think that the bans are kind of silly, honestly. It’s people’s given rights to do what they want,” said Brandon Butkovich.
This man doesn’t think there needs to be a ban.
“I don’t say that I agree with vaping or don’t agree with it, it’s just a health choice. If you want to do that for your health, that should be up to you,” said Butkovich.
Those who support the ban say it’s important to help keep e-cigarettes away from teenagers.
The district manager of Rise Smoke Shop in big rapids says his store already felt the impact of the state-wide ban.
“We have seen a decline about 40% and we are anticipating that it’s going to drop a little bit further,” said Brianna Hrejsa, the district manager at Rise Smoke Shop.
However they still plan to grow as a business and even just opened two more shops in Grand Rapids.
“The growth is insecure,” said Hrejsa. “I am worried about my future though and the future of my fellow employees.”
Rise Smoke Shop says they use an age verification machine to keep these products away from people who aren’t old enough to use them.
“It’s not our goal to put this e-liquid into the hands of younger people and attract them to what vaping is. At Rise, it’s our goal to use it as a tool to aid in smoking cessation,” said Hrejsa.
As a recently graduated respiratory therapist, Hrejsa says she sees the effects of smoking cigarettes as much worse.
Now the store hopes someone stands up to this federal ban.
“We do hope that somebody will fight it but even if they don’t, we still do offer a wide variety of products here like CBD, glass and other medical marijuana devices. We just think that this ban will bring us a slightly older clientele,” said Hrejsa.
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