After a Michigan judge opened the door to flavored nicotine vaping product sales again in the state, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday sought to shut that door as quickly as she could.

Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Stephens issued a preliminary injunction that day against Michigan’s ban on the sale of flavored nicotine vaping products. The injunction allowed stores to immediately begin selling the products again.

After learning of Stephens’ decision, however, Whitmer sought a stay to the injunction, and indicated she hoped to take the issue as quickly as possible to the Michigan Supreme Court for a decision.

“This decision is wrong,” Whitmer said. “It misreads the law and sets a dangerous precedent of a court second-guessing the expert judgment of public health officials dealing with a crisis.”

“There is no question that youth vaping is a public health crisis,” added Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

We support Whitmer’s initial banning of the flavored vaping products.

We agree with the governor that a quick determination to the legality of the order is in the best interest of everyone.

Retailers, consumers and regulators then all can proceed knowing a final decision has been rendered.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)