can electronic cigarettes be banned if the liquid is banned ?

[dc2k08]

Recently in a thread that is now closed (+annoyingly) someone said that drug paraphernalia can only be confiscated if residue from illegal drugs is found on the devices.

I also imagined this was the case as otherwise how could millions of these devices be sold legally in street shops around the world under the pretence that they are for an alternative use. But then a story caught my attention at the weekend.

Thousands of water pipes and other smoking materials have been seized in San Diego County because authorities claim they are drug paraphernalia.

Law enforcement agencies on Wednesday and Thursday raided 11 so-called "head shops" and smoking shops in Vista, San Marcos and Escondido.

About 17,300 items were seized, according to Damon Mosler, who heads the narcotics unit of the county district attorney's office.

Some shopkeepers and owners were cited for misdemeanor drug charges — although one store manager said all the items were for legal tobacco use.

Mosler says the raids were prompted by public complaints about the proliferating shops.

SanFran Chronicle

Just wondering if nicotine liquid is banned, then do you think electronic cigarettes will be classified as illegal drug paraphernalia and be able to be banned also ?

[TropicalBob]

They could be sold as personal vaporizers for non-nicotine liquid. But I doubt there's any market for that. If nicotine liquid vanishes, what good are the devices? None to me. I need the nicotine.

Note that Florida is preparing a law to tax every hookah, crack pipe, etc., sold for "legal" use in the state. We all know what they are and the Legislature wants sales to stop. If that can't be done, then taxation will discourage casual purchase. These are routinely seized on observation, by the way, and residue testing might take months or years, depending ...

Also under the heavy tax ax: Duct tape and 2-liter plastic bottles. No, I'm not kidding. Used for drugs, authorities say. Personally, I have other uses for duct tape.

[dc2k08]

Duct tape?? that is crazy. are they going to tax every household object under the assumption that it could be used in some manner to facilitate illegal drug use. what's next hair dryers and spoons. people will riot.

any idea on what sort of rate they are toying with ?

[Bellinghamster]

LMAO... To be fair, I have friends that can make a bong out of anything... pure MacGuyver style, and they don't need duct tape OR 2 liter bottles...

Better tax, regulate, prohibit, and seize it all... we can't be trusted...

[leerm8680]

Back in the day when I was a Private in the army, my roommate demonstrated how you can make six different smoking devices using parts from the armored personnel carrier. Unfortunately, it made the vehicle inoperable.

[Bellinghamster]

Back in the day when I was a Private in the army, my roommate demonstrated how you can make six different smoking devices using parts from the armored personnel carrier. Unfortunately, it made the vehicle inoperable.

The vehicle? Or the operator?

Lol... this is a discussion that belongs on another forum... my apologies

[Kate]

... Personally, I have other uses for duct tape.

[GiantsFan]

Also under the heavy tax ax: Duct tape

MacGyver is crapping his britches right now

[cucurucho]

I wonder if they're going to tax apples as well.

[Chris From Cali]

I wonder if they're going to tax apples as well.

ha ha ha I was just thinking the same thing. Only a matter of time I suppose. They are normally pretty easy going in California that's what happens when old people start to bitch