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In September 2019, Michigan became the first state in the United States to announce its intent to put a ban on the sale of flavored vaping products. It was a move that lawmakers insist was done to ensure that products are not being marketed to kids. Next, the State of New York Followed with a similar ban.
Later in September, Massachusetts moved to ban all vape products in the state – a shockingly heavy response to a handful of deaths involving illegal vape cartridges from China.
While several other states took hints from Massachusetts and Michigan, the number of states putting outright bans on the products failed to spread. In states where these bans have been placed, the laws act as a sort of moratorium that halts the sale until early 2020, when the issue will be reviewed further.
What States have Banned Vaping?
MICHIGAN
Michigan ordered an emergency ban on September 18, 2019, that is set to last 180 days.
NEW YORK
New York started enforcing a ban on flavored vape products on September 17, 2019.
MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts’ shocking move came on September 24, 2019, when a ban on the online and retail sale of all marijuana and nicotine vape products was declared. This 4 month ban is set to last until January 25, 2020.
RHODE ISLAND
Just a day after MA, Rhode Island announced it would seek almost identical measures as Massachusetts on September 25, 2019.
MONTANA
On October 22, 2019, it was announced by Governor Steve Bullock that a ban on all flavored vape products would be put in place and would last 4 month. This ban included all online sales of flavored vape products, not just retail sales.
Will a Vaping Ban Help Keep Kids from Using Vape Products?
Yes, it will probably decrease the number of kids who are exposed to and use the products. However, simply outlawing a substance (As Massachusetts is doing) will and hoping all related health and addiction consequences work themselves out naturally is not only absurd but irresponsible.
A national ban on alcohol in the United States in the 20th century had such negative repercussions in society that the ban was repealed 13 years later. The heroin epidemic has taken thousands of lives in recent years as a direct consequence of laws that were put in place to restrict access to prescription opioid drugs in the face of the prescription drug epidemic that preceded it.
What is worrisome about the recent bans on vape products is the element of overreach. Are states overreaching in exercising their powers to ban vape products? Does it matter that vape products are associated with fewer (proven) health risks than cigarettes, alcohol products, and other products that are readily available on the market?
Vaping’s History of Use with Addiction
Vaping has its roots in addiction, in a way; one of the first practical uses for vaping technology was through e-cigarettes. Nicotine addicts quickly realized when they went to quit smoking that they were not only addicted to the stimulant chemicals in the cigarettes, but they were also addicted to the process of smoking.
Smoking is a ritual and a habit. Addiction is all about rituals and habits. These rituals and habits make themselves part of your life and become just as hard to break as your dependence on nicotine. In a sense, you have multiple addictions taking place, and multiple addictions are easier to address one by one rather than all at once.
E-cigarettes containing nicotine helped many people by cutting cigarettes and the serious health dangers out of their lives. Further, many were able to beat addiction completely by taking the next step and weening off nicotine using vape products to lower nicotine levels until they are only using flavored water vape products.
How many thousands have beat more serious and life-threatening addictions and health consequences using vape products, and how can we overlook its possible benefits when proposed with a vaping health crisis?
Education and Prevention, Not Outright Bans
Vape products are not all innocent either, and we do need to take a close look at whether or not we are promoting unhealthy lifestyles to our children. Knee-jerk reactions and flat-out bans on products, however, are not effective nor productive uses of time and resources either.
In the end, changes are coming. Laws and bans will be proposed, and it will be up to communities, cities, states, and the Federal Government. No one knows the extent to which the coming laws will reach, but we all need to look to our own past for guidance on how we should act in the future.
Vaping Indoors and State Laws
We know that outright bans on products that are addictive, habit-forming, and pleasurable do create and promote substance dependence problems. Some states are sidestepping more extreme bans and opting for a ban in all public enclosed places. Here are how some states are already tackling the issue of people vaping in public places:
Arizona Vape Bans
Tempe, AZ Vape Ban
Tempe, Arizona, is home to Arizona State University (ASU) and 71,946 students (2016 enrollment numbers). The campus and the State of Arizona are known for trying to keep a balance of safety and common sense in their policies, even when taking on health risks with emerging technology. The campus had banned the use of dockless scooters early when they began popping up all over United States cities. A move more cities are now making as they ban the scooters that have caused an increase in accidents and safety issues.
Again, the community took a look at another emerging technology and took a stance on the subject, banning vape product use in all enclosed workplaces in the city, including bars, restaurants, and government buildings. For a town known for its nightlife, clubs, and cocktail bars, this was a big move – though it doesn’t seem the move has killed the party atmosphere on Mill Avenue.
Coconino County, also in Arizona, adopted the same ordinance and bans vaping in workplaces. This includes restaurants but exempts bars. This leaves the bar owners to decide for themselves whether they are okay with those vaping from Juul or a variety of other vape products.
Coconino County, AZ Vape Ban
Coconino County, also in Arizona, adopted the same ordinance and bans vaping in workplaces. This includes restaurants but exempts bars. This leaves the bar owners to decide for themselves whether they are okay with those vaping from Juul or a variety of other vape products.
Laramie, Wyoming Vape Ban
Home to Wyoming University, the city of Laramie took a unique approach and banned all indoor vaping, but only in bars and restaurants, leaving other buildings to regulate at their own will.
States with Statewide Indoor Vaping Bans
- New York
- New Jersey
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Vermont
- Hawaii
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
Home to Wyoming University, the city of Laramie took a unique approach and banned all indoor vaping, but only in bars and restaurants, leaving other buildings to regulate at their own will.
Vaping and Addiction Frequently Asked Questions
Is All Vaping Addictive?
No, vaping is just a method of delivery for water vapor. The water vapor can contain chemicals. Those chemicals can be active or inert, addictive or non-addictive, harmless or dangerous. Many vape users are vaping just flavored water, while others choose to vape nicotine juice, and others may even vape (or attempt to vape) illicit drugs. Nicotine has been shown to be highly addictive, and if you are able to successfully vape an addictive drug, you could become addicted.
Can You Be Sober and Vape?
Again, the question is, ‘what are you vaping?’ If you are sober from drugs and alcohol and are not vaping drugs and alcohol, you are completely sober from drugs and alcohol. If you are trying to quit smoking cigarettes and nicotine but vape nicotine to cut down the health effects, you are in recovery but have not yet become sober from nicotine.
There are many people who are recovering from drugs and alcohol and choose to still smoke or vape nicotine while they are dealing with the more serious (and often life-threatening) addiction. As long as vaping or smoking does not interfere with your true recovery, whether it be from drugs or alcohol, you can be recovering, sober, and still vape.
Can You Vape During Recovery from Drugs and Alcohol?
For the sake of simplicity, we are going to assume you are asking if you can use vape products that contain nicotine. Yes, you can vape nicotine during addiction recovery, as long as the continued use of vape products does not impede or harm your recovery efforts. It is very important to note that some addiction treatment centers, rehabs, detox programs, or recovery programs may not allow the use of vape products or may ban their use.
TACKLING MULTIPLE ADDICTIONS?
Getting through recovery from multiple addictions, including nicotine & cigarettes, is more successful with the help of a professional.
Learn About Family Systems
Learn More About Codependency & Addiction:
An intervention is not about how to control the substance user; it is about how to let go of believing you can.
“The most formidable challenge we professionals face is families not accepting our suggested solutions. Rather, they only hear us challenging theirs. Interventions are as much about families letting go of old ideas as they are about being open to new ones. Before a family can do something about the problem, they must stop allowing the problem to persist. These same thoughts and principles apply to your loved one in need of help.”
Mike Loverde, MHS, CIP