MISSOULA — Members of the Missoula City Council discussed a potential ban on the sale of flavored e-cigarette products during a Wednesday meeting.
Councilors said they have received support from community members, the Health Board, Providence Saint Patrick Hospital, Community Medical Center, and the Missoula County commissioners to approve the ban.
If passed, all retail shops in Missoula would be prohibited from selling flavored tobacco products, including vape and e-cigarette products.
Missoula City Council member Gwen Jones said that as a parent she hears what an issue vaping is for school-aged children.
"For people who aren't necessarily in the circle of knowing what's going on with our youth, it is huge. It is an epidemic. And I think it's high time we handled it."
Council members Jesse Ramos and Sandra Vasecka were against the ordinance, arguing that this could negatively impact businesses with adult consumers and that minors will go elsewhere to find the products.
If the ordinance is approved, it will take 90 days to go into effect.
