Columbia, Missouri Considers Flavored E-Liquid Ban

City council members in Columbia, Missouri will review a report from the Missouri Board of Health concerning banning flavored vaping products in an effort “to reduce the number of youth vaping in Boone County.”

According to an agenda memo, the Board of Health began studying the issue of youth vaping and its impact on mental and physical health in October 2019. Now, the board has sent the report to council, requesting assistance to prevent teen vaping, according to ABC17 News.

The report details three recommendations that could help decrease youth vaping, including zoning restrictions on vape shops, since vape shops can currently operate near schools. Health officials also recommend a ban on flavored vaping products since currently e-cigarettes are “sold in over 15,000 flavors.”

The board is also recommending the council explore higher taxes on vaping products to increase the cost and hopefully reduce use by youth. Multiple studies have found that flavor bans actually boost youth use of tobacco and vaping products.

No vote is expected on the report Monday night.