The US government is planning to ban flavored e-cigarettes amid outbreak of vaping-related deaths

The vaping crisis has truly become an epidemic. At least six people have died in connection to the vaping-related respiratory illness. The US Federal Government says it’s time to take action to avoid more deaths. The number of vaping-related illnesses jumped to at least 450 cases in 33 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which cautioned people against using e-cigarettes, especially those bought off the street in a warning Friday.

Today, the Trump administration is planning to put a ban flavored e-cigarettes as federal health officials call for restrictions to combat an outbreak of a mysterious lung disease that has sickened hundreds and killed at least six people, according to a report from Bloomberg.

“The Trump Administration is making it clear that we intend to clear the market of flavored e-cigarettes to reverse the deeply concerning epidemic of youth e-cigarette use that is impacting children, families, schools and communities,” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement. “We will not stand idly by as these products become an on-ramp to combustible cigarettes or nicotine addiction for a generation of youth.”

In a rare tweet, the US First Lady said: “I am deeply concerned about the growing epidemic of e-cigarette use in our children. We need to do all we can to protect the public from tobacco-related disease and death, and prevent e-cigarettes from becoming an on-ramp to nicotine addiction for a generation of youth.”

I am deeply concerned about the growing epidemic of e-cigarette use in our children. We need to do all we can to protect the public from tobacco-related disease and death, and prevent e-cigarettes from becoming an on-ramp to nicotine addiction for a generation of youth. @HHSGov

— Melania Trump 45 Archived (@FLOTUS45) September 9, 2019

The Federal government is not alone in taking action to stop the sale of e-cigarette. The state of Michigan became the first to prohibit sales of most flavored e-cigarettes last week in a bold move to stop the underage vaping epidemic. The ban is scheduled to take effect in a few weeks. The ban will cover both online and in-store sales of all e-cigarette flavors except tobacco.

Back in June, San Francisco became the first major U.S. city to ban e-cigarettes. In the meantime, Federal health authorities have reported an outbreak of mysterious illnesses tied to the popular devices.

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