State health officials told the governor Friday that banning vape sales for half a year could help stem the vaping-related illness crisis that has already killed two Oregonians and sickened at least three more.

The “moratorium” would bar sales of nicotine, tobacco and cannabis vape products, both in brick-and-mortar stores and online. The proposal was one of six the Oregon Health Authority submitted to Gov. Kate Brown after she demanded a list of ideas from the agency Thursday.

The agency said that officials could also make it easier to get help quitting nicotine and launch an education campaign aimed at getting people to not vape. The agency also proposed asking the federal government to regulate vaping products, asking doctors to keep reporting potential cases and getting experts together to come up with more ideas.

Oregon’s efforts to clamp down on vaping have lagged behind some other states. Massachusetts, Washington, Rhode Island and Michigan have all announced actual or potential bans.

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission technically has the ability to end sales, spokesman Mark Pettinger said, but is waiting on direction from the governor and the Oregon Health Authority.

The Department of Justice would have to review the proposals, health officials told the governor.

The federal government Friday said cannabis vape juice was the most common factor among the 514 severe lung cases investigators analyzed. Most were bought off the street, officials said, making Oregon’s five known cases stand out: All victims purchased products at legal retail stores, state officials have said.

Two Oregonians have died in the vaping-related lung illness epidemic. The second death, announced Thursday, prompted Brown’s demand for options.

-- Fedor Zarkhin

fzarkhin@oregonian.com

desk: 503-294-7674|cell: 971-373-2905|@fedorzarkhin

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