A Michigan judge on Tuesday blocked the state's weeks-old ban on flavored e-cigarettes, citing evidence that adults could return to smoking more harmful than tobacco products.

Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Stephens also said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration's delay in implementing the prohibition undercut its position that emergency rules were justified.

The lawsuit was filed by vaping businesses that said the ban, which took effect Oct. 2, will force them to close. The judge issued a preliminary injunction to stop the state from enforcing the rules.

Michigan, New York and Rhode Island have recently banned flavored vaping products in response to an explosion in teen vaping in recent years. President Donald Trump said last month that the federal government would act to prohibit thousands of flavors used in e-cigarettes because they appeal to underage users.

Whitmer, a Democrat, has accused companies of using candy flavors and deceptive advertising to "hook children on nicotine."

The rules prohibit the sale of flavored nicotine vaping products, including to adults, and the misleading marketing of e-cigarettes.

The federal government and states ban the sale of vaping products to minors, yet government survey figures show that last year, one in five U.S. high school students reported vaping in the previous month. Top government health officials, including the surgeon general, have flagged the trend as an epidemic.

Lawmakers, and state and medical officials have responded to the ruling.

"This decision is wrong. It misreads the law and sets a dangerous precedent of a court second-guessing the expert judgment of public health officials dealing with a crisis,” said Governor Whitmer. “The explosive increase in youth vaping is a public health emergency, and we must do everything we can to protect our kids from its harmful effects. I plan to seek an immediate stay and go directly to the Supreme Court to request a quick and final ruling. I took bold action last month to protect public health, and several states and the White House have followed Michigan’s lead because they know how urgent this is. Enough is enough. Our kids deserve leaders who will fight to protect them. That’s exactly what I’m doing today.”

State Rep. Beau LaFave (R-Iron Mountain) said, “Us Yoopers are fighters. We will fight this unconstitutional, unilateral and unwise executive action with every fiber of our being. Today’s court ruling shows that when the residents of the Upper Peninsula stand united, Lansing does take note. We will not be silent while our rights are taken away by a governor with no regard to the laws, the Legislature and the public. Sometimes the Legislature needs help. I cannot thank Mr. Slis enough for putting his neck out on the line and standing up for every small business in the state of Michigan. If they can ban e-cigarettes with absolutely no scientific evidence to back up their fake epidemic, what other legal product will she ban next? With Yoopers united, the answer is nothing.”

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “We are resolute in our efforts on behalf of Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services to protect the health of Michigan’s children. The youth vaping crisis is an urgent public health matter that demands immediate action. To that end we are preparing to seek an immediate stay and will seek leave to appeal the judge’s decision directly to the Supreme Court.”

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said, “This ruling is deeply concerning and a threat to Michigan’s public health. There is no question that youth vaping is a public health crisis. The data is overwhelming, and we’re getting new information every day that reinforces that the Governor and MDHHS were correct to take swift action to protect our kids from the harmful effects of vaping.”

According to a release by Whitmer, she will seek a Supreme Court ruling in the lawsuit.