After 120 days, retailers will be able to sell flavored vaping liquids. However, this could only be temporary pending legislation.

SPOKANE, Wash. — There was once a wall of endless options at Sublime Vapor in North Spokane. Now, they have just two shelves of flavorless vape juice.

The downsize is the result of a statewide ban that went into effect in October. But starting this weekend, that ban will be lifted.

"It devastated us, it damn near killed us," said Joey Blodgett, general manager of Sublime Vapor.

Washington's State's Board of Health implemented the temporary ban in October following a number of vaping-related illnesses and deaths across the country.

Since April of last year, there have been 25 cases of vaping associated lung injury reported in Washington, according to the Department of Health.

While that might seem high, it's actually low compared to other states like Illinois and Texas that saw more than 200, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The four-month ban on flavored vaping products in Washington state expires on Friday. On Saturday, Feb. 8, licensed retailers can legally sell flavored vaping products to customers again.

Blodgett said in the last four months, Sublime Vapor had to close two Spokane stores and lay off all but one of their employees.

"We had to shut down our south and valley, the south is permanently shut down, the valley, we hope to open soon, but it's all depending on what happens next," Blodgett said.

They aren't alone. Many vape shops couldn't survive the 120-day flavor ban the State Board of Health approved in October.

Dr. Bob Lutz with the Spokane Regional Health District, who is a voting member of the State Board of Health, said in the last couple of months that vaping-related injuries across the country are down.

"We've definetly seen across the country a significant drop in number of cases," Dr. Lutz said.

Dr. Lutz believes people are much more aware of the risks and backed off. He also said, the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more research that identifies Vtiamin E acetate and THC as the likely cause of the illnesses.

"There maybe a couple of months when they may or may not be available. Again, we're not sure, there's a number of bills, but again flavored vaping products are high on the priority list of legislators," Dr. Lutz said.

After the ban expires, stores can start selling again but they're unsure for how long.

"We're kind of in a holding pattern, we'll bring our stuff back, but we don't know how long we'll get to have it and to what capacity," Blodgett said.

With multiple bills in the state legislature, it's possible flavors could go away again.

"It's why we're still encouraging, we always encourage people, it's an addictive substance, look to proven methods to stop your usage," Dr. Lutz said.

Blodgett hopes lawmakers find a solution that work for his customers, because he said some are turning back to cigarettes.

"You don't have the 5,000 plus chemicals that are poisoning you have nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and hopefully on Saturday flavors that are artificial or natural flavor," Blodgett said.

However, Dr. Lutz is more concerned about young people who aren't using vaping to kick the habit.

"Once they're over the age of 21, it's available to them so again we're just perpetuating addiction, a legal addiction and the health outcomes associated with that are a concern," Dr. Lutz explained.