Puyallup Tribe institutes Temporary Ban on Flavored Vapor Products

The Puyallup Tribal Council, the governing body of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, on Oct. 11 instituted a 100-day ban on the sale of flavored vapor products. The temporary ban applies to both cannabis and nicotine flavored vapor products sold on the reservation.

Tribal Council has directed Puyallup Tribal Cannabis Enterprise, which is owned directly by the tribe, to institute the ban immediately. For Tribal cigarette and tobacco retailers, the ban will become effective Nov. 1, 2019, by which time all such products must be removed from their stores. During the 100-day period, the Tribe will begin a study of flavored vapor products.

The temporary ban is in the spirit of the Washington State Board of Health policy and Governor Jay Inslee’s Executive Order on Vapor Products. As a sovereign nation, the Tribe is not required to observe state law, but David Z. Bean, chairman of the Puyallup Tribal Council, said nationwide reports of illnesses linked to flavored “vape” products prompted the action.

“We need to get to the bottom of these illnesses,” he said. “The health of our membership and the surrounding community is too important to overlook.”

Vice Chairman Bill Sterud said Council will begin the investigation Tuesday and draw on the Tribe’s resources including Puyallup Tribal Health Authority, cannabis-testing lab Medicine Creek Analytics, Puyallup Tribal Cannabis Enterprises. He said it may include other government entities as well.

“We own Medicine Creek Analytics, one of the best testing labs in the State of Washington,” Sterud said. “Tribal Council will convene a team of our medical and research professionals and get to work.”

About the Puyallup Tribe of Indians
The Puyallup People have lived along the shores of what is now called Puget Sound since time immemorial. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is a sovereign nation of more than 5,000 members and one of the largest employers in Pierce County. It serves its people and neighbors with generosity and is committed to building a sustainable way of life for future generations.

About the Puyallup Tribal Council
The Puyallup Tribal Council is the elected governing body of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. The council consists of Chairman David Z. Bean, Vice Chairman Bill Sterud, Sylvia Miller, Tim Reynon, Annette Bryan, James Rideout and Anna Bean.

Contact:
Michael Thompson, Communications Director, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, (253) 382-6200; Michael.Thompson@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov