MISSOULA — Missoula County commissioners are putting a hold on implementing rules to ban flavored vaping products, after the City of Missoula was sued over the initial regulations.
The county had been set to consider the "extraterritorial application" of the vaping regulations during a public hearing Thursday.
But Monday, a local trade group and a coalition of businesses that sell vaping products filed suit challenging the original rules approved by the Missoula City Council.
Those regulations were to take effect this week. That suit, plus the potential of a Legislative bill blocking the city's authority, prompted the city to delay the ordinance until May 1.
Mayor John Engen says the "hold" will allow the city to see what the Legislature does first, before incurring additional legal bills.
Missoula County Commissioner Dave Strohmaier told MTN News the county will also "postpone" Thursday's public hearing. That will give the county time to consider further developments.
The county's action would have extended the ban on flavored vaping products, and potential purchase by children, outside the Missoula city limits.
