VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The debate over flavored vaping cartridges and e-liquids continues in Valley City.

At the City Commission meeting on Wednesday, April 5th, the ordinance item was removed from the agenda and a new business item to “approve an advisory vote for tobacco products ordinance” was added.

City Commissioner Duane Magnuson made a motion to put the issue up for an advisory vote in the 2024 citywide election.

That prompted an interesting exchange between City Commissioner Jeff Erickson who supports an advisory vote and City Commissioner Mike Bishop who does not.

The motion passed on a 3 to 2 vote with commissioners Mike Bishop and Dick Gulmon voting against the motion.

The current city ordinance will remain in place until an advisory vote is placed on the ballot, possibly by June of 2024.

In March, John Stearns, and other business operators asked the city why they banned a legal substance that’s sold nearly everywhere else in North Dakota. While others, like City County Health District Tobacco prevention coordinator Kaitlen Lee believe flavored vaping and e-liquids is harmful to kids and the current city ordinance that bans the sale of those substances works to curb youth vaping.

According to City County Health District Administrator Theresa Will, there is currently discussion regarding flavor restrictions on the federal level. She said although Valley City was the first city in North Dakota to pass a flavor ban ordinance. Will said other communities are working on this issue, using the Valley City ordinance as a model. There are currently five states that have statewide flavor vaping restrictions.