President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday his administration’s plans to implement a ban on flavored electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) products.
Users on social media, both those who are e-cigarette users (sometimes called vapers) and those who are not, noted the double-standard of safety concerns when it comes to the product versus other harmful goods, such as assault weapons and guns in general.
Trump, who was joined by Health and Human Services Sec. Alex Azar and the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Ned Sharpless, was short on details for his plan, the New York Times reported, but expressed grave concern for the health and well-being of individuals using e-cigarettes — particularly younger adults and children, who are often drawn to e-cigarette flavors like menthol or bubblegum.
“We’re going to have to do something about it,” Trump said at the White House.
Six deaths have been reported nationwide related to people who have used vaping devices, according to the Washington Post, with hundreds of others being hospitalized as well. Some incidents, though not all, have included individuals using THC products in their e-cigarette devices.
Several users on social media noted Trump’s willingness to regulate the e-cigarette industry so quickly — and yet, do almost nothing so far when it comes to gun violence.
40,000 Americans die each year from gun violence.
So let's ban….e-cigarettes?
— Bryan Behar (@bryanbehar) September 11, 2019
And yet, no action on guns: Trump moves to ban flavored e-cigarettes. https://t.co/waU571MLjF
— Elizabeth Chang (@ElizabethGChang) September 11, 2019
Pretty sad when the government will ban e-cigarettes because 6 adults who made a choice to use them have died but when hundreds of innocent children are gunned down in schools they won't even push for stricter background checks to buy guns
— Alt Fed Employee (@Alt_FedEmployee) September 11, 2019
Six people have died from e-cigarettes, and we ban them. Thousands have died from gun violence, and we get thoughts and prayers.
— Allison Winn Scotch (@aswinn) September 11, 2019
Our country can move so quickly to try and ban e-cigarettes/ vaping due to deaths but not move to establish better gun control? 🙄 pic.twitter.com/ZF7KjfWG7h
— Cheybo (@so_chey) September 11, 2019
BREAKING: Trump moves to ban flavored e-cigarettes following 6 deaths. Meanwhile, guns still available for cash in the Walmart parking lot or just ask a GOP Congressman to lend you one. #EnoughIsEnough
— The Daily Edge (@TheDailyEdge) September 11, 2019
How funny (*sarcasm): a few people die from e-cigarettes, there’s a quick move to ban them.
Hundreds of people die from mass shootings, and we can’t ban assault-styled weapons and/or pass sensible gun laws. #LobbyingPower… https://t.co/bOiSL1DxS8
— L. Crosby García (@LCrosbyGarcia) September 11, 2019
As reported last week by HillReporter.com, a ban on flavored e-cigarettes went into effect in Michigan on September 4. That ban requires renewal every six months.
The ban by proposed by Trump would affect e-cigarette sales across the nation, although specifics on the administration’s plans for the product have not yet been released.