Virginia Smoking Ban includes E-cigs per Dept of Health

[madman3237]

Following Quotes from New Member Forum Thread Newbie with a question. Posted here so all can post replies.

Hi All I have been reading all the posts for about 2 months lots of great info. I put down my analogs 3 weeks ago and never looked back. Today I e-mail the Virginia Dept. of Health about our up coming "smoking ban" and asked if e cigarettes fall under the ban they said they do! How can this be if it's not smoke or tobacco? What can be done? Thanks

"Smoke" or "smoking" means the carrying or holding of any lighted pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind, or any other lighted smoking equipment, or the lighting, inhaling, or exhaling of smoke from a pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind.

Bill Tracking - 2009 session > Legislation

So, as I read this, it does not apply to PVs/e-cigs. But I would print this out and politely ask management before vaping. They always have a right to refuse any behavior in their establishment and will be paranoid of fines.

I just received another reply from the VA Dept. of Health and they highlighted "cigarette of any kind." And also included this statement!

"New information indicates the "vapor" is not as clean as they claim. Until we get good third party verification of the "vapor's" safety, we consider an E cigarette as a "cigarette of any kind."

This Stinks. But should have been expected as this is a Big Tobacco state and if they are banned, they definitely want us banned.

Help anyone? Ban is effective 12/1/09. No smoking in public places bars, restaurants etc.

[DaMulta]

Good thing I only puff on a Nicotine Inhaler :P

[LaceyUnderall]

Well... it has been approved so it is final for now.

However, that said, I would certainly follow up with what they mean by "New information indicates the "vapor" is not as clean as they claim."

It needs to be asked exactly what new information they have. From there, the next step could be determined on how to handle this. If an answer is received, we could then provide them with the relevant information as there are no vapor tests that currently prove the "vapor" is not as clean as they claim. My guess, is they are confusing the "vapor" with the liquid which are not one in the same.

Also...

"Until we get good third party verification of the "vapor's" safety"

What do they consider third party verification? Who would they prefer to do such testing? Do they have any labs for which they would accept any findings and if so, who can participate in the funding of such testing?

All very simple questions for which they should have answers and those answers will be very telling. (or lack of answers as well)

[KitKit]

MadMan thanks for moving this thread I can only post in the new members area. Lacey I hear what you are saying, but I'm not sure how to or who to go to about this. I read a very good letter here written by- I think Kristin that I would like to copy and forward, Just not sure who to forward it to. I understand people don't want second hand smoke to kill them, but do I still have any rights? Now that I don't smoke my BP is down I feel better, I smell better, my family is very happy with the change and I like it!! Yes I would feel better with more testing on PVs but I don't understand why others think they can tell me what to do! OK the rant is over.

[squid509]

wow a public smoking ban in a state that make money on growing tobaco
it a kick in the pants i tell you. when then through that hell in Florida when the pased there public smoking bans.

are they still going to allow smoking at bars? i can respect the fact ppl dont want to be around smoke and i only vape in public in where smoking is allowed.

[KitKit]

no smoking in bars that includes AJ Gator come Dec 1 sorry Squid.

[angelique510]

I didn't leave Ohio (horrid draconian laws there) and move to Virginia for this!

[gooney0]

I feel bad for the restaurant and bar owners of VA. Imagine pouring your life savings into a restaurant and finding its illegal to smoke in your own restaurant.

The economy is down and now they'll loose even more business.

Prisoners get an exception though.

-Gooney0

[LaceyUnderall]

MadMan thanks for moving this thread I can only post in the new members area. Lacey I hear what you are saying, but I'm not sure how to or who to go to about this. I read a very good letter here written by- I think Kristin that I would like to copy and forward, Just not sure who to forward it to. I understand people don't want second hand smoke to kill them, but do I still have any rights? Now that I don't smoke my BP is down I feel better, I smell better, my family is very happy with the change and I like it!! Yes I would feel better with more testing on PVs but I don't understand why others think they can tell me what to do! OK the rant is over.

Kit - I know it is really frustrating. Smoking bans are horrible on a multitude of levels. Personally, I think they are a good idea and totally backwards. Smokers SHOULD be in certain establishments and not on the streets. It keeps non-smokers from walking through mass crowds of smokers AND keeps cigarette butts in ashtrays where they belong and not on the sidewalks and gutters. It also allows business owners to offer the establishment they so choose to the free market. If the area you service doesn't really smoke, then your business will suffer and you will change your smoking policy.

However, that said: Whoever you have been emailing is a GREAT place to start. Ask them very simple questions. Do not give them study after study nor your opinion. When dealing with people who are making decisions on our behalf it is best to follow this method:

1. Identify who to speak to
2. Identify what that person knows
3. Determine if their efforts are scientifically based or morally based
4. Address issues from #2 with what you know of #3, knowing a little bit about who #1 is. (ie a little background check on who this person is, what types of smoking related legislation they have passed before)

If you need any help, please feel free to PM me. I am more than happy to help you and will!

[PlanetScribbles]

I think they should also ban all vehicles that use fossil fuels of any kind. After all, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide is 'not as clean as they claim'
What a load of tosh. One rule for some and another for others.