Proposed Fargo flavored nicotine ban sparks clash between health officials and retailers – Valley News Live

FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Health leaders, city commissioners, school officials and business owners gathered at Fargo City Hall Wednesday to debate whether the city should ban flavored nicotine products.
Jenn Faul, director of Fargo Cass Public Health, said the industry is operating without proper oversight.
“There’s an industry happening within our community that is happening unregulated and we’re trying to get a grip around that,” Faul said. “That’s why we’re asking for flavored banning because it’s not being monitored honorably.”
Health officials cited youth vaping rates as a primary concern. According to the CDC, more than 18 percent of North Dakota high school students are current e-cigarette users, with flavored products driving that trend.
Deanne Svaleson of Petro Travel Plaza said her sales data shows a different customer base.
“I can go through my POS system today and tell you 85% of the people buying products from my store are over the age of 25,” Svaleson said. “Our customer base is not kids, it’s grown adults that choose to use these products knowing the harmfulness.”
Fargo schools have installed vape detectors to combat the problem. Superintendent Cory Steiner said administrators are seeing results.
“Before we started doing that we were up between 90-120 vape hits a day in our high schools,” Steiner said.
Zachary Johnson, owner of Sports Vape, said enforcement should focus on keeping products away from youth rather than implementing a ban.
“I think we should just focus on our city and keeping the products out of youth, not just taking everything away,” Johnson said.
Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg said a ban would eliminate jobs and restrict legal rights.
“You’d be taking away businesses taking away jobs and this is a legal right of citizens,” Turnberg said. “I think it’s absolutely ridiculous to have a flavor ban.”
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