According to a report from ABC News on December 30th, a federal judge recently issued a temporary restraining order delaying Utah's implementation of restrictions on flavored e-cigarettes, pending a ruling on complaints against the state and other entities.
Judge David Barlow approved the injunction on December 30, temporarily delaying the enforcement of restrictions that were originally set to take effect on January 1, 2025. This delay is in accordance with Senate Bill 61, the "E-Cigarette Amendment Act," which was passed during the 2024 legislative session and signed by Governor Spencer Cox in March.
Amendment to e-cigarette Act" prohibits the sale of flavored e-cigarette products, as well as the sale of any e-cigarette products not authorized by federal officials.
According to one provision of the injunction, Utah is prohibited from implementing the provisions of S.B. 61 until a ruling on the December 12 litigation. Another provision specifically states that it is not illegal to manufacture, distribute, or sell e-cigarette products that are not authorized by the regulations before the ruling is issued.
The Utah Vapor Business Association and The Smoke House have been named as plaintiffs in a complaint filed on December 12th. The lawsuit involves the state of Utah, Governor Cox, Attorney General Sean Reyes, the Utah Department of Health and Public Service, and other entities in the state.
The lawsuit claims that flavored e-cigarettes are "limited and closely monitored" in supply, as they are only legally sold in retail tobacco specialty stores. The plaintiffs argue that banning the sale of flavored e-cigarettes will lead to people in Utah "inhaling more harmful combustible cigarettes, or being forced to obtain flavored e-cigarettes from out of state or through the black market," in addition, tobacco retailers will lose "the vast majority" of their business.
The plaintiff also argues that the injunction not only conflicts with federal law, but may also violate the constitutional rights of citizens.
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