What defines an e-cig?

[MikeJA]

I posted this in the Legislation News thread first, but it's a lightly viewed place. Just reposting here as I think it's an important discussion to have...

A city nearby where I live (Alhambra, CA) recently passed legislation restricting the use of "e-cigs" in the city only to places that allow tobacco as well. And today on the drive home I heard some more BS from the L.A. city council.


L.A. City Council moves to regulate sales and use of e-cigarettes - latimes.com


It got me thinking. What is an e-cig? Is it the nicotine? If I vape zero nic VG is it still an e-cig? What if I decide to vape zero nic juice in an area that is restricted and get a ticket? I can't see the city standing a chance in court if I fought the fine and presented them with the pure VG I was vaping, unless it's explicitly written in the law that vaping VG (or PG) is prohibited.


So, I guess I'm wondering what everyone thinks, legally, an e-cig is and what justifies laws affecting them.

 

[Tempesta]

That depends on how the partiicular statute or ordinance defines e-cigs. Too often, the people who draft these things have no idea what they are trying to regulate; if people puff on it, it must be harmful. That provides a fertile field for lawsuits, but little guidance for the public.

 

[angstless]

I posted this in the Legislation News thread first, but it's a lightly viewed place. Just reposting here as I think it's an important discussion to have...

A city nearby where I live (Alhambra, CA) recently passed legislation restricting the use of "e-cigs" in the city only to places that allow tobacco as well. And today on the drive home I heard some more BS from the L.A. city council.


L.A. City Council moves to regulate sales and use of e-cigarettes - latimes.com


It got me thinking. What is an e-cig? Is it the nicotine? If I vape zero nic VG is it still an e-cig? What if I decide to vape zero nic juice in an area that is restricted and get a ticket? I can't see the city standing a chance in court if I fought the fine and presented them with the pure VG I was vaping, unless it's explicitly written in the law that vaping VG (or PG) is prohibited.


So, I guess I'm wondering what everyone thinks, legally, an e-cig is and what justifies laws affecting them.

I personally think that is a great question, and should be investigated.