HAMILTON – Three vape shops and an industry group are suing to block a temporary ban on the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes from going into effect next week in Montana.
The lawsuit filed Thursday in state court in Ravalli County says the 120-day ban is an overly restrictive reaction to a national outbreak of vaping-related illnesses and deaths they say is caused by illegal black-market products.
The Montana ban begins Tuesday. Gov. Steve Bullock has said it’s necessary during an investigation into vaping-related pulmonary illnesses that have affected more than 1,000 people nationwide, including at least two cases and one death in Montana.
The Ravalli Republic reports the lawsuit by the Montana Smoke Free Association, Freedom Vapes, Liberty Smoke and UBlaze vapor says the ban could force more than 20 Montana businesses to close.