BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an investigation notice on Friday regarding severe pulmonary disease associated with the use of electronic cigarettes. Following this notice, Buffalo Common Council Member Joel Feroleto filed a resolution asking the City of Buffalo Law Department to research a temporary prohibition on new vape shops in the City of Buffalo.
According to Feroleto, the ordinance would be for a six-month moratorium on new licenses to stores that primarily sell electronic cigarettes.
215 possible pulmonary disease cases have been reported by 25 states so far. And according to the New York State Department of Health 10 cases have been reported in New York State.
The investigation notice states, "CDC, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), state and local health departments, and other clinical and public health partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of severe pulmonary disease associated with e-cigarette product (devices, liquids, refill pods, and/or cartridges) use. This investigation is ongoing and has not identified a cause, but all reported cases have a history of using e-cigarette products."
The CDC and the New York State Department of Health are both looking into these accounts.
"I think it's very important that we get some more information from the medical professionals and we pump the brakes on new vape shops for the time being," says Feroleto.
Tuesday, the Buffalo Common Council unanimously passed the resolution allowing the city's law department to draft an ordinance which would allow councilmembers to issue the moratorium. The six months would give the city time to do some research to figure out how to handle vape shops moving forward.
"First of all, the health impact because the reports that are coming out, they have linked them to vaping, but they haven't found exactly what's causing these pulmonary illnesses. Also, look at other things like zoning, should we be allowing vape shops near schools?" says Feroleto.
2 On Your Side spoke with employees from two Buffalo vape shops who declined to go on-camera Tuesday, but told us they oppose the moratorium - one is worried the government will eventually force him to close his store.
This moratorium would only apply to new stores.
"If you have used vapes to quit smoking cigarettes, you can certainly still purchase your vapes at any location that you previously purchased them at or online. It doesn't affect existing businesses," explained Feroleto.
Feroleto says there are about a dozen vape shops in Buffalo.
After the city's law department drafts the ordinance, the commoncouncil will decide whether to approve it.