The Michigan vaping ban and the failure of journalism

I've read from two mainstream news sources that Michigan will be the first state to ban the sale of flavored vaping products.

I had instant reactions:

• By banning all flavors except tobacco, Michigan is meddling in something that is quite literally a matter of personal taste. 
• The ban tells us the state doesn't believe adults can be trusted in their own purchasing decisions for their own personal pleasure; so much for "my body, my choice."
• If adults can't be trusted in such personal decisions, but can be trusted in the voting booth, then faith is "our democracy" is in defiance of all reason and is quite superstitious. 
• When will people stop abusing the word "epidemic?" Vaping does not spread an infectious disease; it's merely an unhealthy personal habit, and probably less-unhealthy than smoking.
• If vaping companies actually have made false or misleading claims about their products, that is fraud and, one would think, could be actionable by victims, the state of Michigan, or the Federal Trade Commission.

I could also go on and on about the tyranny of the Precautionary Principle, the economics of prohibition, black markets, and victimless crimes.

But almost as galling as the ban itself is what the stories left out.

Imagine this headline: "John Smith Convicted of Manslaughter." You read the story, wondering what the punishment will be. But the story doesn't mention the range of possible punishments or a sentencing date.

Or imagine this headline: "Acme Corporation fined for safety violations." You read the story to find out how much it got fined, and it's never mentioned. You feel like you just wasted your time. 

Yes, my sample size was only two stories, but neither said what the punishment would be for violating the vaping ban. I didn't see a link that would reveal that information either. 

Would a violation be a misdemeanor or a felony? Will there be fines? Of how much? Will there be police raids? Prison sentences?

Yes, I could do further research on my own and find out, but why wasn't it mentioned in the story?

Because it goes against the narrative that the State of Michigan is a benevolent institution looking out for our welfare. Journalists don't want to remind you that behind ban, behind everything government does, is the threat of violence. 

The ban creates two classes of victims: customers denied choices they previously enjoyed, and those who sold vaping products to them. It is the sellers who'll be fined and/or incarcerated for non-compliance. 

We have a right to know how badly they'll suffer.  

James Leroy Wilson writes from Nebraska. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. If you find value in his articles, your support through Paypal helps keep him going. Permission to reprint is granted with attribution.