LANSING — State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) announced her support for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s three emergency rules today banning flavored vaping products and related misleading advertising in Michigan amid what Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaidun has declared a “public health emergency.”

“As a mother, I want to thank Gov. Whitmer for taking bold action to protect the health of our children who are being deceived by the false advertising that vaping is healthy or safe — it’s not,” said Brixie. “Bubble gum and fruit loop flavored nicotine products are being sold next to candy and the result is an entirely new generation addicted to nicotine.”

Gov. Whitmer’s emergency rules would ban the sale of flavored nicotine vaping products in retail stores and online, and prohibit misleading marketing of vaping products with terms like clean, safe and healthy.

“I voted against legislation earlier this year because it failed to protect our children from the risks of a lifelong addiction to nicotine,” said Brixie. “I’m very pleased Gov. Whitmer is utilizing her authority to address this health emergency. We have a moral obligation to act boldly and prevent an entirely new generation from falling victim to lifelong addiction and the associated health risks.”

The Food and Drug Administration and the Surgeon General have called vaping among teens an “epidemic” and emphasized the importance of protecting our children from a lifetime of nicotine addiction and associated health risks by immediately addressing the outbreak of youth e-cigarette use.

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