Smokefree ordinance to be introduced in Boise (ID), don't know if e-cig ban is included

[Placebo Effect]

The removal is especially dubious because

(a) Notice was not given of the removal before the (I believe) two public hearings, so the vapers in Boise weren't even given the opportunity to object in person

(b) Boise people, feel free to correct me on this, but Boise leans pretty heavily Republican. The largest areas to ban e-cig use are those that typically vote Democrat -- New Jersey, Seattle, and (soon) Boston.

 

[rothenbj]

I'll get out my correspondence this weekend. If yoiu have an email for the DA, I'll copy him also.

 

[DOOL]

Very cool Mike, Honestly I was out of the loop at the first meeting, didn't even know it was happening till that night. I gotta start watching the news more and monitoring the council page.
I totally agree the smoking issue really doesn’t affect us and yeah it’s pretty much lost I think, but vaping is a whole different ball game. It should not even be played on the same field as smoking. But I think we still have time if we rally and come together we can make a difference for Vapers. So if we work together and diligently, I think we can win this battle!

 

[Placebo Effect]

Very cool Mike, Honestly I was out of the loop at the first meeting, didn't even know it was happening till that night. I gotta start watching the news more and monitoring the council page.
I totally agree the smoking issue really doesn’t affect us and yeah it’s pretty much lost I think, but vaping is a whole different ball game. It should not even be played on the same field as smoking. But I think we still have time if we rally and come together we can make a difference for Vapers. So if we work together and diligently, I think we can win this battle!

There was no reason for you to attend the public hearing because even if you had seen the ordinance, you wouldn't have been concerned because of the e-cigarette exemption. The removal of that exemption only became public knowledge after the public hearings.

 

[DOOL]

I'll get out my correspondence this weekend. If yoiu have an email for the DA, I'll copy him also.

Hey Roth, I dont have an email, but i do have a voicemail number: (208) 384-3870

 

[BoiseMike]

After the information session they also expanded the scope of the smoking ban to include more outdoor public areas. The Grove and 2 full blocks of 8th street, including 20 ft. down the alleys. And I believe for the parks the entire parking lot was OK for smoking, now it's just in your car. It does make me wonder about the legalities involved in the process.
Placebo - Idaho is very Republican, but they're still nanny statists. And Boise being the largest city is packed full of liberal Democrats.

 

[DOOL]

The removal is especially dubious because

(a) Notice was not given of the removal before the (I believe) two public hearings, so the vapers in Boise weren't even given the opportunity to object in person

(b) Boise people, feel free to correct me on this, but Boise leans pretty heavily Republican. The largest areas to ban e-cig use are those that typically vote Democrat -- New Jersey, Seattle, and (soon) Boston.

Placebo, You are awesome man!
Politics have always been one of my weak points and you are a walking encyclopedia, my hats off to you!
I am just glad you are in our corner

 

[Placebo Effect]

E-mail addresses for the City Council members. I urge all Boise-area residents to contact the City Council members and respectfully request that the e-cigarette exemption be added back to the legislation because:

* There is no evidence that e-cigarettes pose any sort of threat of harm to bystanders.

* There is no evidence that e-cigarettes have caused enforcement issues in the 5 years since they've been available on the market in the United States.

* E-cigarette bans are unenforceable, as e-cigarettes leave no ash, no litter, and the user can control whether to release vapor into the air

* In the very few areas in the U.S. that ban e-cigarettes, there is no evidence that a single citation has ever been issued.

* Enforcement concerns are especially irrational when applied to Vapoligy, an e-cigarette store.

* Considering that the City Council doesn't appear to be contending that e-cigarettes pose a health risk to bystanders (as opposed to secondhand smoke from combustible tobacco products), it makes little sense to take away the business owners' right to decide whether to allow them.

* By removing the e-cigarette exemption and not making it public before the two public hearings, the Boise City Council foreclosed any opportunity to hear in-person testimony from e-cigarette users.

Council President, Maryanne Jordan, mjordan@cityofboise.org
Council Member Elaine Clegg, eclegg@cityofboise.org
Council Member David Eberle, deberle@cityofboise.org
Council Member Lauren McLean, lmclean@cityofboise.org
Council Member TJ Thomson, tjthomson@cityofboise.org
Council Pro Tem, Alan Shealy, ashealy@cityofboise.org
General City Council E-Mail, citycouncil@cityofboise.org (send all e-mails here as well as addresses above)

 

[rothenbj]

Email sent, I sure hope these people have some common sense.

 

[Vocalek]

The park ordinance does allow for smoking in your car, "Where smoking is not regulated. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter and section to the contrary, smoking in automobiles, whether in a parking lot or roadway, within a public parks shall be exempt from the provisions of this ordinance." Guess I'm SOL if I ride my motorcycle or bicycle. That will be the target of their next step probably. This address will go to the mayor and council members: mayorandcouncil@cityofboise.org . I dropped an email to it last night, pretending that they actually care.
BTW - Congratulations, DOOL on the new brick and mortar location! I'll be stopping by sometime. And does Garden City fall under the Boise ordinances? I thought y'all were a separate city altogether.

I forget now which state, but one of our members reported that when her husband was driving cross-country he pulled into a rest area. A couple on a motorcycle pulled in, lit up, and then received a ticket from a State Trooper for smoking on State property.

 

[Placebo Effect]

Those who are in Boise, Idaho should make sure to note that you are from Boise, Idaho, as the City Council may assume that those e-mailing them are just e-cig activists from out-of-state. I even recommend giving them your phone number and urging them to call you if they have any question.

 

[BoiseMike]

The City Council is meeting at 6:00 tonight. They're doing the 2nd reading of the proposed ordinances. I'm going down there just to see if there is any discussion at all on the vaping inclusion.

 

[Placebo Effect]

The City Council is meeting at 6:00 tonight. They're doing the 2nd reading of the proposed ordinances. I'm going down there just to see if there is any discussion at all on the vaping inclusion.

Please speak in opposition to their inclusion. Please!

 

[DOOL]

Hey Mike, I will see you there! And yes Gregory, if they let us speak, I am sure there are a few of us that will be more then willing to stand up against the inclusion of eCigarettes. Any other Vapers please make sure to come to the meeting and lets get eCigarettes removed from the ban!

 

[Placebo Effect]

Focus on the enforcement concerns. Bring out e-cigarettes that look nothing like cigarettes.

Ask them to watch you as you bring your e-cigarette up to your mouth, cover up the LED light, and fake inhale. Hold your breath for 4 seconds and exhale so no vapor comes out. Ask them, "Did I use this e-cigarette? If you can't tell me if I used this e-cigarette, no police officer or city prosecutor can, and thus your rule is utterly unenforceable."

Vapoligy, for your own selfish interest, note that there's no reason to keep your store in Boise if you can't demonstrate your products to customers. Make sure to note that there are hundreds of different e-cigarettes that serve different purposes.

 

[BoiseMike]

I don't think it's a public testimony event, but if given the chance I certainly will. If nothing else maybe we can catch TJ Thomson or Ralph Blount and give them an earful. Or maybe even a demonstration?!?!?!

 

[BoiseMike]

Good idea about the fake inhale, Placebo. I'll have my REO anyway. No LED!

 

[Placebo Effect]

I don't think it's a public testimony event, but if given the chance I certainly will. If nothing else maybe we can catch TJ Thomson or Ralph Blount and give them an earful. Or maybe even a demonstration?!?!?!

Just show up a half hour early to find out if you can. Take a look at the Boise City Council website so you can recognize the City Council members and maybe talk to them before / after.

 

[DOOL]

Awesome advice Placebo! If given half the chance you bet me and Mike will be grabbing some ears and filling them with some logic

 

[DOOL]

Well the council meeting is over, it was only a reading of the ordinance and eCigarettes are still not exempt. So no change there.
Although after the meeting we were able to talk with Councilman Thomson and Adam Park who is the Communications Director for the Mayor and City Council.
They were both very responsive and seemed genuinly interested in seeing an eCigarette perform even to the point where Mr Park asked me to blow vapor in his face. They both seemed truly amazed at the lack of smell and the vapor disipating almost instantly. Mr Park gave me his office and cell number so I plan to call him first thing in the morning to set up an appointment to meet up with him and edcuate him on eCigarettes.
Of course everyone was in a hurry to get out of there and get home, but low and behond Channel 2 news seemed interested at what was capturing the attention of a councilman and the Communications Director, so of course they jumped in and shot some footage.
So there is a Tues night update of the progress on Vaping in Boise, I am sure I left some things out and i will let Boise Mike fill in the details that I probably left out.