Governor Cuomo has announced today that he will ban the sale of all flavored "e-cigs" within the state. This would be the first statewide ban of its kind. It is not clear whether this ban will extend to online retailers from out of state, effectively cutting off any legal option for flavored vape users. It is also unclear as to whether this ban will extend to solely nicotine vapes, or will also include, nicotine free, cbd, hemp, essential oil and other vape devices.
Based upon the current logic, or lack thereof, it would seem Nicotine Flavored Vapes or Flavored ENDS's (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems) would be impacted by this. However the level of ignorance towards the submarkets within the vaping industry may result in an all out ban on all flavored vaping items, regardless of their content.
The issue at hand is youth vaping, the resulting nicotine addiction and possible long-term health consequences. THC cartridges have been the cause of the immediate health issues and 6 deaths nation-wide, although focus has shifted from "thc vaping" to a different issue, the health issues related to long term "nicotine ejuice vaping". Available studies have shown vaping to be 95% safer than traditional cigarettes, 95% safer still does not mean healthy, nor does it mean completely safe. Long term studies are still being conducted and it will take time to see these results.
Ironically no regulation being discussed is addressing the deaths and illnesses across the country which began this discussion. The logic loop used by the media was, 450 developed a mysterious illness from "vaping", 6 people died from this mysterious illness, now we hear millions of kids have tried vapes...we must stop those millions of kids from dying! There is definitely THC cartridge vaping being done by youths, putting them at the greatest risk of immediate health issues, however none of the proposed bans will address that most pressing health concern.
This does not mean nicotine ecig regulation is not in order, it surely is, and regulation modeled after the alcohol industry would seem most appropriate. That may also be the best approach regarding THC cartridges. Being a schedule 1 drug, THC carts cannot be regulated by the federal government (you cant regulate something if you say its completely illegal, regulating means there is allowed usage, hence its not completely illegal, a conundrum some may say). However the current situation may be the catalyst needed to propel federal marijuana legalization. How you may ask?
As the most serious health threat is not being regulated (black market thc vapes) the usage will continue. Granted black market chemical engineers will change their concoction to prevent any more issues with the currently known Vitamin E oil thickening agent , it is only a matter of time until the next issue arises and even more people are injured or killed.
The black market continues to grow in size and sophistication and with some states legalizing marijuana the opportunity for bad-actors in others states to find illegitimate opportunities, exposing us all to risk, grows and grows. I love reading lab-reports, understanding what works best for me, then finding those specific items, but that opportunity is not afforded to adults within certain state boundaries.
Regardless it seems like there may be a blanket ban on all flavored vaping products, regardless of their content, nicotine, nicotine-free, cbd, thc, essential oils and more.
Sensible regulation seems far-off in today's hyperbolic headline depth, political environment.
There will be a 3-5 week process for this order to come into action, at which time there should be more clarification. If you are a former cigarette smoker, who uses flavored nicotine ejuice, it would be suggested that you stock-up on your preferred flavors, as they may not be available through legal methods in the near future. There will surely be alternatives and DIY solutions, however if you are as picky about your vape as I am, and you are also a VapeBrat, you may want to really stockup until prohibition ends.
I have personally purchased a 1 year supply of my favorite flavor, and have been stocking up on some of my other favorite flavors to help me continue fighting my cigarette addiction.
Much Love and Good Luck to all my fellow VapeBrat's out there.
We'll see what happens,
VapeBrat