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 U.S. health officials have linked vaping to 12 deaths and 805 cases
of a mysterious respiratory illness.
DeWine, a Republican, said he wanted the General Assembly to ban all
flavored vaping products besides tobacco flavor, including mint- and
menthol-flavored products.
"If we do that, we will reduce the health risk, and will certainly
save lives," he told reporters at a news conference in Columbus. He
said he was especially concerned about children getting hooked to
highly addictive nicotine e-cigarettes because they were sold with
fruity or candy flavorings.
Governors in Michigan, New York and Rhode Island have all restricted
sales of flavored e-cigarette products in recent weeks. DeWine said
he did not have the authority to issue an executive order banning
the products in Ohio, saying it would be better done through the
legislature.
Last week, Massachusetts banned all vaping products outright for
four months while it examined new regulations and laws.
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The lung illnesses have disrupted a burgeoning industry, which had
positioned itself as selling a product that helped people quit
deadly tobacco cigarettes. U.S health officials, however, are
concerned the flavored products are drawing a new generation into
nicotine addiction.
Ohio previously raised the minimum age to buy tobacco and vaping
products to 21 from 18, a rule that goes into effect on Oct. 17.
At least 22 people in Ohio, including a 15-year-old, have developed
severe respiratory illnesses from vaping, DeWine said, and another
19 possible cases are being investigated by the state's health
department.
(Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
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