Vapouround magazine Vapouround Magazine Issue 26 | Page 29

“We are in an ongoing rulemaking process, and I will not speculate on the fi nal outcome” “While I like the vaping alternative to cigarettes, we need to make sure this alternative is SAFE for ALL! Let’s get counterfeits off the market and keep young children from vaping!” In an interview with Yahoo Finance, American Vaping Association (AVA) president Gregory Conley said that America needs to have ‘rational policy, not prohibition.’ Conley said: “Banning flavoured nicotine vaping products will do nothing to stop teenagers from buying illicit THC cartridges off the street…that is what is making people sick.” While vapers celebrated the news, this may not be the end of the flavour ban. Several cities and states still enforce bans on the sale of flavoured vape products, such as Michigan, Massachusetts and New York. And White House spokesman Judd Deere also said that Trump may switch positions on the ban once again. Deere wrote: “President Trump and this administration are committed to responsibly protecting the health of children. “At this time, we are in an ongoing rulemaking process, and I will not speculate on the fi nal outcome.” Even if the President doesn’t go through with a ban, at least one 2020 Presidential opponent has strongly hinted at his intent to use the flavour ban as an election issue. Former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has long been a thorn in the side of Big Tobacco and the vape industry. Bloomberg wrote on Twitter: “Today we learned that [Trump] has walked away from his commitment [to ban flavours] and caved to tobacco lobbyists. American families deserve better. “If President Trump won’t take steps to protect our children, then we need someone in offi ce who will.” Bloomberg backs The Village, a network linking businesses with high-profi le entrepreneurs and investors. One such business is Hava Health. The company is developing a ‘pharmaceutical-grade’ nicotine vape device that will require FDA approval as a medicine rather than a tobacco product. VM26 23