An ordinance (file #180354) which bans vaping in the same places where the state of Wisconsin prohibits smoking has unanimously passed Milwaukee’s Common Council and is headed to the mayor’s desk for signing.
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By way of background, the ban on vaping in public places and city owned properties was introduced as File Number 180186 on May 8th, 2018 and assigned to the Public Safety Committee. At the committee’s May 17th meeting, Alderman Murphy recommended that the ordinance be held until notice could be given to stakeholders affected by the regulation. Somewhat ironically, Ald. Murphy’s justification for delaying the hearing was based on the fact that the title of the ordinance only referenced banning vaping on city owned properties which is misleading to public stakeholders like restaurant owners and vapor businesses who will be affected by the new law.
Reportedly, notification was sent to stakeholders advising them of the proposed ordinance, but it was limited to the local restaurant association and the chamber of commerce. This proposal was not given any extra publicity among vapor businesses or other members of the public beyond changing the name (and number of the file) to “File #180354 – An ordinance relating to regulation of electronic cigarettes on city property and in those places that cigarette smoking is prohibited by state law.”
On June 20th, the Milwaukee Common Council voted unanimously to pass the anti-vaping law. The ordinance is currently awaiting the mayor’s signature. Mayor Barrett has 10 days to sign the legislation into law.
