Newbie with a question

[KitKit]

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

 

[kristin]

Sometimes people you get on the phone no nothing of which they speak. I'd get a copy of the statute and see what it actually says. Most describe tobacco and combustion of some kind, which actually exempts e-cigs.

 

[Houdini]

I was going to say the same thing. Whoever wrote back to you probably has no idea what an e-cig is but because it has the word "cig" in it they assume it will be included in the ban. By the way, what is actually being banned in VA? Is this a no smoking anywhere thing or just no smoking in certain places?

 

[Snarkyone]

Agreed, that was the first thought in my head as well. Sounds like she was blowing you off to me I would check it myself.

 

[KitKit]

Dec 1, 2009 no smoking in public places bars, resturants etc.

 

[madman3237]

"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.

 

[KitKit]

Thanks Madman I was just looking at the HB1703 what I'm not sure of is the wording cigarette of any kind or any other lighted smoking equipment. No my pv is not lighted by people still think of it as "smoking equipment" this is a very hot topic at the local watering hole.

 

[grady193]

I don't know if this applies in your case, but Indianapolis is enacting a similar law soon and this law SPECIFICALLY states that it DOES include electronic cigarettes! Can you believe that?? The story was on the news and I about fell off the couch when the reporter said that. I just sat there, shaking my head in utter disbelief. 8-o

 

[breakfastchef]

E-cigs were developed by Ruyan. The name Ruyan means, as I understand, 'like smoking'. Since a substitute for smoking, while not necessaarily based on tobacco or fire, an e-cig looks like an analog and produces a smoke-like vapor. Anyone with an active brain cell would see that vaping looks very much like smoking. Add to that the lack of scientific evidence of the safety of second-hand vapor and you are up against a lot of pressure from everyone from neighbors to politicans.

Present your vaping device as a nicotine inhaler, and you may win a few converts. Otherwiase, the bogus FDA report on e-cig cartridge chemicals will trump any arguement against said findings.

 

[KitKit]

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."

 

[madman3237]

This discussion now belongs in the Law subforum. Starting a new thread there with copies of OPs post and my reply.

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

 

[Rob Smallenberg]

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

Kitkit,

Please PM me. I am an attorney in the Commonwealth of Virginia and, having read the smoking ban legislation at length, I believe the opinion of the Department of Health is ludicrous.

I was love to get a copy of the e-mail you received from the VDH.

Thanks,

Rob Smallenberg
In-House Counsel
Teamhealthechoice

 

[JohnK]

Kitkit,

Please PM me. I am an attorney in the Commonwealth of Virginia and, having read the smoking ban legislation at length, I believe the opinion of the Department of Health is ludicrous.

I was love to get a copy of the e-mail you received from the VDH.

Thanks,

Rob Smallenberg
In-House Counsel
Teamhealthechoice

Get 'em Rob!!!