Some public health officials in western Massachusetts say implementation of the state's temporary vape ban has gone smoother than expected.
The four-month ban on the sale of vaping supplies was put into effect last week across Massachusetts amid health concerns.
In West Springfield, the town's public health director, Jeanne Galloway, said her department didn't encounter any issues when they visited retailers.
"We put together the packet that the state health department had provided us to give to vendors and delivered them," Galloway said. "Most everybody had already stopped selling them, or taken them off the shelves like they were supposed to. A few people needed a little extra time to do that."
And in Easthampton, health agent Bri Eichstaedt said her department checked on retailers when the ban was first announced last week to make sure they were complying. She said they won't be making special trips going forward.
"We do inspect these establishments because a lot of them have food," Eichstaedt said. "And then, obviously, just visiting them, maybe on my lunch break if I go in to get a drink or something, if I see something I would address it, but I don't really foresee that being an issue."
West Springfield's Galloway said that would also be the case in her town.
The state says after a warning and another inspection, violators can be subject of a fine of up to $1,000.
