APPLETON - Vape shop owners and customers cry foul that businesses specializing in e-cigarette products are not considered essential under the state's orders to close non-essential services amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Tony Evers' Safer At Home order implemented last week mandated the closure of non-essential businesses, but what is and isn't considered essential has angered some, especially within the vaping community.

For them, they say it's a matter of public health.

"My biggest concern with my customers is they need something to assist them when they're trying to quit smoking," said Ken Kempen, co-owner of EVapor of Appleton.

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Vape and electronic cigarette products are often used as a transition method to help someone quit smoking cigarettes or reduce their dependence on nicotine.

In recent years, the products have become highly controversial with the rise of teen vaping, which has become a national epidemic.

Its youth usage and public health concerns have made vaping the ire of government officials at every level.

Last year, Appleton passed a workplace vaping ban which restricted vaping and the use of any vape products in any environment that can be considered a place of employment. Its passage was followed by a long fight by vape shop owners who worked to convince city officials to exempt their shops in the ban.

Evers and the Republican-controlled state Legislature have supported measures to increase enforcement on any selling of tobacco products to minors as a result of the teen vaping issue.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump announced a ban on limiting vape flavors with the exception of menthol and tobacco.

Charles Riley, an employee at Good Nature EVAPOR in Appleton, says if liquor stores along with convenience stores and gas stations where cigarettes can easily be bought are considered essential, vape shops should be too.

"When you can still go and purchase life threatening cigarettes, but not electronic vapor products, the scenario just doesn't make any sense," Riley said.

Benjamin Grothe, owner of Good Nature EVAPOR, argues vape products keep people from smoking cigarettes, and not including them as an essential business will only hurt small businesses like his own.

"It will close down shops for sure," Grothe said. "I don't think many shops are going to be able to survive two months down without being able to sell."

National advocacy group Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association or CASAA has spearheaded an online movement driven by consumers across the country to promote the hashtag #EssentialtoUs in response to the closure of vape shops.

Kristin Noll-Marsh of Antigo, who is a member coordinator of CASAA, says it doesn't make sense to keep fast food chains open but not vape shops.

"You're making accommodations for one select portion of the public but not another?" Noll-Marsh said.

Vape products can be purchased online and at some large retailers but for Appleton resident Davin Forsberg and his wife, local businesses provide them with a trusted product they aren't sure they can find elsewhere.

"We believe in buying from local retailers because we always know where our supply is coming from," Forsberg said. "Some of this stuff, if you're buying it off E-bay, it can be kind of shady. You want to know that you're getting a quality-made, U.S. product. To take a risk of buying from some place that we don't trust, it doesn't really seem worth it."

Contact Mica Soellner at 920-996-7226 or msoellner@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @micasoellner.