Another US Vape Ban Delayed: Montana Judge Pauses Flavored Vape Ban
An October 23 report from foreign media said a ban on the sale of flavored e-cigarettes that was expected to take effect this week in Montana has been blocked by a state judge. On October 18, Ravalli County District Judge Jennifer Lint signed a temporary
On October 23, reports from foreign media indicated that the sales ban on flavored e-cigarettes expected to take effect this week in Montana has been blocked by a Montana judge.
Ravalli County District Judge Jennifer Lint signed a temporary restraining order on October 18, prohibiting Governor Steve Bullock and state health officials from enforcing emergency rules on flavored e-cigarette products. This flavored e-cigarette ban was announced on October 9 and was expected to take effect on the 22nd.
It is reported that Lint took this action in response to a lawsuit filed last Wednesday by three vape shops and an industry organization. They claimed that the 120-day ban was an overly restrictive response to the nationwide outbreak of vaping-related illnesses and deaths, which they said were caused by illegal black market products.
Bullock's press secretary, Erin Loranger, told the Ravalli Republic that officials are reviewing the judge's ruling.
The lawsuit was filed by the Montana Smoke-Free Association, Freedom Vapes, Liberty Smoke, and uBlaze Vapor, and the ban could force over 20 businesses in Montana to close.
Business owners stated that lung diseases may have been caused by the "illegal addition" of THC or cannabis products to legal e-cigarette products. According to the plaintiffs, none of the products sold by the businesses involved in the lawsuit contained tetrahydrocannabinol or cannabis components.
The lawsuit claims that the ban would not only harm businesses but also those who use e-cigarettes to quit smoking products.
Ron Marshall, owner of Freedom Vapes, stated in a sworn affidavit that flavored vape juice accounts for 95% of the products sold in his three stores, and without them, his business would not survive.
Lint stated that if the governor can easily take away those freedoms with a stroke of a pen, what will be next? If it is us today, who will it be tomorrow?
Lint has requested a hearing on October 30 to consider arguments regarding the future of the temporary restraining order.
Ravalli County District Judge Jennifer Lint signed a temporary restraining order on October 18, prohibiting Governor Steve Bullock and state health officials from enforcing emergency rules on flavored e-cigarette products. This flavored e-cigarette ban was announced on October 9 and was expected to take effect on the 22nd.
It is reported that Lint took this action in response to a lawsuit filed last Wednesday by three vape shops and an industry organization. They claimed that the 120-day ban was an overly restrictive response to the nationwide outbreak of vaping-related illnesses and deaths, which they said were caused by illegal black market products.
Bullock's press secretary, Erin Loranger, told the Ravalli Republic that officials are reviewing the judge's ruling.
The lawsuit was filed by the Montana Smoke-Free Association, Freedom Vapes, Liberty Smoke, and uBlaze Vapor, and the ban could force over 20 businesses in Montana to close.
Business owners stated that lung diseases may have been caused by the "illegal addition" of THC or cannabis products to legal e-cigarette products. According to the plaintiffs, none of the products sold by the businesses involved in the lawsuit contained tetrahydrocannabinol or cannabis components.
The lawsuit claims that the ban would not only harm businesses but also those who use e-cigarettes to quit smoking products.
Ron Marshall, owner of Freedom Vapes, stated in a sworn affidavit that flavored vape juice accounts for 95% of the products sold in his three stores, and without them, his business would not survive.
Lint stated that if the governor can easily take away those freedoms with a stroke of a pen, what will be next? If it is us today, who will it be tomorrow?
Lint has requested a hearing on October 30 to consider arguments regarding the future of the temporary restraining order.
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