Opportunities for Better Health Begin When Everyone Has a Chance to Live a Healthy Life
The State Board of Health voted to adopt a second emergency rule to ban the sale of vapor products containing vitamin E acetate, and also voted to pass a separate motion that directs staff to begin rulemaking to permanently ban the sale of vapor products containing vitamin E acetate in Washington during its March 11 public meeting.
Board members listened to significant data about the link between vitamin E acetate and the vapor associated lung injury outbreak from the state Department of Health. Dr. Cathy Wasserman, state epidemiologist for non-infectious disease, reported recent findings and shared information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration about the known harmful effects of the substance. Members reviewed the data and held a discussion before casting their votes.
Board staff initiated rulemaking this week. Filing a CR-101 is the first step. It announces to the public that the Board is considering developing rules to address an issue. Staff sent out an email notice and updated the rule web page to give interested parties and the pubilc an opportunity to participate in the rule development process from the beginning.
If you’d like to receive notices about this rule update or find out ways you can participate, send us an email and we will add you to the Board’s email distribution list.
Established by the state constitution in 1889, the State Board of Health has served the people of Washington for 131 years, providing leadership and advancing public health practices that protect and improve the public’s health. Our work focuses on analyzing policies, developing rules, promoting partnerships, and encouraging public engagement in the public health system.
