JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Cordell Hoff of the Vapor Shoppe in Jamestown understands that there are concerns with vaping.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced their plan to ban flavored e-cigarettes. The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) has also recently reported that they have one confirmed case of severe vaping-related lung illness and six probable cases under investigation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 36 states and 1 U.S. territory have reported more than 380 potential cases of severe respiratory illness associated with the use of e-cigarette or vaping products among teenagers and adults.

“Seven deaths have been reported from six states,” the NDDoH reports. “No consistent e-cigarette or vaping product, substance, or additive has been identified in all cases, nor has any one product or substance been conclusively linked to severe respiratory illness in patients.”

Hoff says it’s possible that in those instances, products being used may not be FDA certified and regulated.

Gregory Conoley, President of the American Vaping Association, released a statement on the ban.

“A ban will remove life-changing options from the market that have been used by several million American adults to quit smoking,” he says in the release. “Sending ex-smokers back to smoking will do nothing to stop drug dealers from selling contaminated THC cartridges. A flavor ban will only lead to the creation of yet another multi-billion dollar black market that will operate with zero safety concerns.”

Hoff says the best way for those who vape or are interested in vaping is to visit a certified store to ask questions and learn more about it.

Hoff says vaping is a growing industry and the FDA is continuing to update safety measures and rules to ensure the product is used correctly.