Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday announced a four-month ban on the sale of all vaping products in Massachusetts.

Baker made the announcement at a press conference where he said he was declaring a public health emergency in connection with vaping-related lung illnesses.

Hundreds of cases of the illness have been reported nationwide and Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel has already ordered all cases to be reported to the Department of Public Health for the next year.

"We as a commonwealth need to pause sales in order for our medical experts to collect more information about what is driving these life-threatening vaping-related illnesses," Baker said.

The temporary ban will apply to flavored and non-flavored vaping products, Baker said, in retail stores and online. The ban applies to all vaping products and devices, including tobacco and marijuana. It takes effect immediately, with the Public Health Council planning to approve an order at a 3:30 p.m. meeting.

During a radio interview earlier Tuesday, Senate President Karen Spilka said, "This is a public health crisis." Trump administration officials earlier this month announced plans to remove flavored e-cigarette products from the market.

— Katie Lannan, State House News Service

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