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A SAD DAY: TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BACK PETALS VAPING BAN
The Trump administration on Thursday announced a highly anticipated ban on many flavored e-cigarette products, after the companies spent millions of dollars on lobbying.
In reality, it is a Partial Flavor Ban, it affects most flavored e-cigarettes, but spares menthol and some liquids after lobbying by the industry.
Creative vapers can make up for the difference.
The administration says the ban is meant to help combat an increase in the number of teens who vape â labeled an epidemic.
Yet US health groups say it is missing key provisions to keep flavors away from kids.
“Make no mistake, this is an historic day,” Brett Giroir, the assistant secretary of health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said. “We are going to enforce against e-cigarette products that are most appealing to children.”
Retailers will be allowed to sell only menthol products, not other fruity flavors. The ban will apply only to closed pods, not to refillable liquid flavors that vapers can mix themselves, a key part of not covered by the "ban." <
“We expect people to try and circumvent our rules or to do things to get around them, but weâre going to be on this,” he said.
The administration says the ban will balance efforts to reduce the number of teens who vape with demand from adults who have turned to vaping to quit conventional cigarettes.
Not everyone is convinced.
“Itâs very troubling. ⦠The only thing this compromise this is making is of our childrenâs health,” Erika Sward of the American Lung Association said. “Thereâs a quick hack that is on YouTube and other platforms that shows kids how to refill these cartridges.”
Health advocates are still calling on Congress to pass a full ban on all flavored vaping products. | 
