Tell us what you think of Los Angeles unanimously bans vaping in public places.
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Los Angeles City Council has moved to ban the use of electronic cigarettes in workplaces and public areas.
City News Service says the council voted 14-0 Tuesday to restrict e-cigarette "vaping" wherever tobacco smoking is restricted. That includes restaurants, parks, bars, nightclubs, beaches and workplaces.
Lounges for e-cigarette users are exempted.
The electronic devices heat up liquid nicotine so the vapor can be breathed.
Proponents say they lack the toxic tars of tobacco cigarettes. Critics note the lack of research on e-cigarette safety and say it could be a gateway for young people into smoking.
Chris Battenschlag, the owner of Cyber Liquids LLC, released the following statement to Action News in response to the ban:
I do not believe that it is the responsibility of the government to enforce upon businesses a ban on the use of electronic cigarettes by their customers in their establishment. Although, I do not believe people should be allowed to "vape" wherever they feel like it, I believe it is the right and responsibility of the business owner to determine if it is in the best interest of their business and their customers. Many businesses already, prior to the ban by the council, did not allow customers to vape in their establishment. The government should not force regulation on these businesses unless they have empirical and factual evidence that second hand vapor is harmful to those who are exposed to it. With the limited amount of studies due to electronic cigarettes only being in circulation for a short period of time, the evidence just is not there. A ban on the use of them in public places impedes on the rights of citizens in Los Angeles and no studies have proven there to be a legitimate concern regarding second hand vapor that justifies the ban.
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Los Angeles City Council has moved to ban the use of electronic cigarettes in workplaces and public areas.
City News Service says the council voted 14-0 Tuesday to restrict e-cigarette "vaping" wherever tobacco smoking is restricted. That includes restaurants, parks, bars, nightclubs, beaches and workplaces.
Lounges for e-cigarette users are exempted.
The electronic devices heat up liquid nicotine so the vapor can be breathed.
Proponents say they lack the toxic tars of tobacco cigarettes. Critics note the lack of research on e-cigarette safety and say it could be a gateway for young people into smoking.
Chris Battenschlag, the owner of Cyber Liquids LLC, released the following statement to Action News in response to the ban:
I do not believe that it is the responsibility of the government to enforce upon businesses a ban on the use of electronic cigarettes by their customers in their establishment. Although, I do not believe people should be allowed to "vape" wherever they feel like it, I believe it is the right and responsibility of the business owner to determine if it is in the best interest of their business and their customers. Many businesses already, prior to the ban by the council, did not allow customers to vape in their establishment. The government should not force regulation on these businesses unless they have empirical and factual evidence that second hand vapor is harmful to those who are exposed to it. With the limited amount of studies due to electronic cigarettes only being in circulation for a short period of time, the evidence just is not there. A ban on the use of them in public places impedes on the rights of citizens in Los Angeles and no studies have proven there to be a legitimate concern regarding second hand vapor that justifies the ban.
