Dear Sir/Madam,
Regarding "Ordinance to Amend the City of Alameda Municipal Code By Repealing Section 24-5 (Smoking Control) of Section XXXIV (Public Health) and By Adding Sections 24-11 (Smoking Prohibitions in Places Employment and Public Unenclosed Places), and 24-12 (Smoking Prohibitions in Multi-Unit Housinq), please remove "e-cigarettes" and any references to e-cigarette vapor or function from this proposed Ordinance.
The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association has been working hard to encourage smokers who will not or cannot quit smoking traditional cigarettes to switch to a low-risk, smokeless alternative such as e-cigarettes. To ban the use of e-cigarettes removes a huge incentive for inveterate smokers to switch to these far less harmful alternatives. CASAA has found that smokers who are given the option to use the devices where smoking is prohibited, more frequently than not, will switch completely and quit smoking traditional cigarettes. Numerous doctors and health experts agree that, while more research needs to be done on e-cigarettes and quitting altogether is best, it is reasonable to say that smokeless alternatives, such as e-cigarettes, are far less hazardous than smoking for those who cannot or will not quit. It is far better for public health to have a smoker using a low-risk e-cigarette in her or his home or workplace, rather than going out into the street to smoke a cigarette. It is also more reasonable for residents of nursing homes to remain indoors, rather than exposing their already compromised and fragile health to the cold and rain.
A concern about secondhand smoke per the proposed Ordinance states:
"Secondhand smoke in multi-unit housing poses health problems for non-smoking residents when it drifts from neighboring units , balconies , and outdoor spaces. The Surgeon General has determined that the dangers from secondhand smoke cannot be controlled by ventilation , air cleaning, or the separation of smokers from non-smokers.
Several studies have concluded that smoking in multi-unit housing also contributes to higher maintenance and insurance costs. Many cities in California have begun to address the health dangers and additional costs related to secondhand smoke by implementing secondhand smoke housing policies."
E-cigarettes do NOT produce noxious fumes nor do they pose a health hazard for bystanders. If not for the quickly dissipating, visible puff of vapor, most bystanders would not even notice an e-cigarette in use, as the vapor does not linger and there is rarely any noticeable scent. While the FDA did announce that it found minute levels of a potentially toxic chemical and traces carcinogens in one of the e-cigarettes it tested, its testing also showed that the amounts found were so minute that they were NOT at levels considered dangerous and were also not found in the vapor itself. Additionally, in the years since the 2009 FDA test, several independent studies have not detected harmful levels of any chemicals or carcinogens in e-cigarette vapor. (See:
CASAA | The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association for links to these studies.) Unlike smoke, the vapor dissipates quickly, without leaving any smokey odor or residue and does not travel great distances. Because of this, enforcement of a ban on e-cigarette use would be nearly impossible, as there would be no evidence to prove use. Rather than risking eviction or fines by breaking the ordinance or further endangering their health by continuing to smoke outside, smoking residents and employees should be ENCOURAGED to use a smokeless alternative such as e-cigarettes, as they are a perfect solution to the concern over secondhand smoke and public health.
Again, I encourage you to strongly consider how including e-cigarettes in this ordinance as "smoking" could actually have a negative impact on public health by prohibiting a low-risk, smokeless option as an alternative to smoking and removing a strong incentive for smokers to quit smoking traditional cigarettes altogether.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Kristin Noll-Marsh
They sure don't make it easy for folks to comment but I think being persistent pays off. Please take 5mins to do this TODAY if you can!!
