Key Points: 

• Montana’s vaping industry provided more than $67 million in economic activity in 2018 while generating 313 direct vaping-related jobs. Sales of disposables and prefilled cartridges in Montana exceeded $719,000 in 2016.

• As of January 7, 2020, MDPHHS has reported seven cases of vaping-related lung illnesses, including one death. MDPHHS notes the use of THC-containing vapor products, but does not give specific case counts. MDPHHS earns a D for its reporting on vaping-related lung illnesses.

• In 2019, only 8.7 percent of Montana high school students reported daily e-cigarette use. Further, only 7.0 percent cited flavors as a reason for e-cigarette use. More data is needed.   

• Only 1 percent of FDA retail compliance checks in Montana resulted in sales of e-cigarettes to minors from January 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019.

• Montana spends very little on tobacco prevention. In 2019, Montana dedicated only $5 million on tobacco control, or 4 percent of what the state received in tobacco settlement payments and taxes.