Skip to main content

Massachusetts becomes the latest state to enact a ban on e-cigarettes

Massachusetts is the fourth state to ban vaping amid an outbreak of vaping-related illnesses and a criminal probe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

The Boston Globe reports that Governor Charlie Baker announced on Tuesday a four-month ban on the sale of all vaping products in the state of Massachusetts. Baker called the recent diseases and deaths related to vaping a “public health emergency.” 

Recommended Videos

Once approved by the state’s state’s Public Health Council, the temporary ban takes effect immediately until January 25, 2020. The ban would apply to flavored and unflavored e-cigarettes, as well as marijuana vaping products since weed is legal in Massachusetts. 

“The use of e-cigarettes and marijuana vaping products is exploding and we are seeing reports of serious lung illnesses, particularly in our young people,” Baker said in a statement to the Boston Globe on Tuesday. “The purpose of this public health emergency is to temporarily pause all sales of vaping products so that we can work with our medical experts to identify what is making people sick and how to better regulate these products to protect the health of our residents.”

While the ban is only temporary for now, Massachusetts joins states like Michigan, California, and New York that have made similar bans to vaping products amid health concerns. 

As of September 19, there have been 530 cases of reported lung injuries across 38 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Boston Globe reports that in Massachusetts alone, 61 cases of vaping-related illnesses have been reported throughout the state. Seven people have died as a result of vaping. 

The CDC and the FDA don’t know what aspect of vaping is causing disease and death, but officials are looking at vitamin E oil that is added to some THC vaping cartridges as a possible cause. Patients have reported a variety of symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, fatigue, and fever. 

Last week, the Washington Post reported that the FDA had started a criminal probe into vaping-related illnesses and deaths. The investigation is reportedly focusing on the supply chain of vaping products. 

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump said he wants to ban flavored e-cigarettes nationwide and issue new regulatory guidance on vapes. The FDA plans to implement new restrictions on e-cigarettes and other forms of vaping in 2021. 

Allison Matyus
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Allison Matyus is a general news reporter at Digital Trends. She covers any and all tech news, including issues around social…
The uncertain future cost of Apple’s Emergency SOS feature
Person holding iPhone 14 searching for Emergency SOS satellite.

It's been roughly two years since the launch of the iPhone 14 and its Emergency SOS via satellite feature. You might recall that during the first two years, Apple said it would be free to use but that it might require a subscription after that time, according to MacRumors. Last year, Apple extended the time limit by one more year, so you actually have until November 2025, when the trial period ends.

That's good news. The Emergency SOS feature is, quite literally, lifesaving. During April of this year, three university students lost their way in a canyon and used the feature to call for help. Another story arose in July where the feature came through once more in a moment of crisis. And if you keep digging, you'll find numerous other examples of how this tech is truly beneficial.

Read more
Apple’s smart home display already sounds like a convenience victory
Nest Hub Max

Over the past few weeks, rumors of Apple developing a smart display for home control have picked up pace. The company is said to be developing two versions, and one of them might even feature a robotic arm and revive an iconic Mac’s design. 

Now, Bloomberg has shared some juicy details about how the entry-level option will look and work. The device will offer a 6-inch screen with a square-ish format flanked by sensors, including a FaceTime camera in landscape orientation. 

Read more
Trade group says EV tax incentive helps U.S. industry compete versus China
ev group support tax incentive 201 seer credit eligibility

The Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA), a trade group with members including the likes of Tesla, Waymo, Rivian, and Uber, is coming out in support of tax incentives for both the production and sale of electric vehicles (EVs).

Domestic manufacturers of EVs and their components, such as batteries, have received tax incentives that have driven job opportunities in states like Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and Georgia, the group says.

Read more