BOISE, Idaho — Editor's note: the video attached to this story explains how to talk to children about the dangers of vaping.
Idaho is facing a public health crisis from vaping, the state Board of Health and Welfare declared Thursday, and the board is calling on Gov. Brad Little to consider a comprehensive array of options to address it, including possibly banning flavored e-cigarettes, according to a report from the Idaho Press.
The state has had 10 cases of vaping-related lung injury, but no deaths so far; the cases have been spread among all regions of the state. Ages of those involved have ranged from 16 to 55. Nine of the 10 cases involved THC or cannabis products, while one involved vaping nicotine only.
Thus far, the state’s response has been focused on messaging, to let Idahoans, and particularly young people, know the dangers of vaping.
“I don’t think the education and intervention is going to be enough, particularly for youth,” said Health and Welfare board member Jim Giuffre. “I’d like to propose a ban, as other states have done, on those flavored e-cigarettes.” He said those products are likely to have the greatest appeal to youngsters who are experimenting or getting started with smoking or vaping.
Seven states have imposed bans so far; three have been blocked in court. Bans currently are in effect in neighboring Washington and Oregon, though a court in Oregon blocked the part of the ban that applied to nicotine-only products.
Idaho Health and Welfare Board member Linda Hatzenbuehler said, “What I’m hoping is that we can move forward with some additional options here sooner than later.”
Elke Shaw-Tulloch, administrator of public health for the state Department of Health and Welfare, said, “It’s on our radar, of course.” She noted that some of her colleagues in other states have run into legal issues with their bans.
“There have been stays on a lot of these efforts,” she said. “We haven’t done anything in that regard, because we really feel that we have opportunities to get out there and make some strong efforts around trying to help people understand what the issues are.”
“I think a lot of people think that vaping is a safe activity and it can be used for cessation — it’s been billed as such,” she said. “We’re going to push really hard to get people to stop.”
But the board members said they want further action. “Our charge as a board … is to protect the health and well-being of the citizens,” Giuffre noted.
Responding to Giuffre’s initial suggestion of calling for a ban, board Chairman Darrell Kerby said rather than “paint the governor into a corner” on a ban, the board could ask the department to provide him with “a comprehensive list of actions … to take to protect Idahoans from this health crisis.”
Giuffre proposed that as a motion — noting that he expects a ban to be among the options listed — and it passed unanimously.
In a statement late Thursday afternoon, Little said, “I am an advocate of the lightest possible hand of government. At the same time, we have an obligation to address public health issues that impact our young citizens. My administration is watching the issue closely to determine the best way for the State of Idaho to engage in the health concerns surrounding vaping. I will carefully consider any of the options the Board provides in regard to the issue.”
Sen. Fred Martin, R-Boise, a non-voting member of the board who chairs the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, said he’s planning to bring back his bill this year to raise the smoking age to 21; he’s introduced it twice before without success.
“In the past I felt like it was an uphill battle,” he said. “I feel a little more confident this year, because of the vaping situation, that I may get a little more traction.”
Giuffre noted that he’s worked in public health for 40 years. “We pay for this in so many ways,” he said, “early deaths, chronic conditions, and huge amounts of money spent dealing with … all those health conditions.”
More from our partner Idaho Press: Hands-free frenzy: What's happening with hands-free driving laws around the Treasure Valley, state