Chicago One Step Closer to Public Vaping Ban

Governor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to ban vaping in public spaces advanced closer to enactment Monday as Chicago’s city council pushed his plan forward.

An earlier plan had stalled, with city aldermen concerned that a provision that only e-cigarettes containing nicotine would be banned could prove difficult to enforce. The new plan makes no distinction between e-cigarettes with nicotine and those without it.

“You’re lumping it together in the same category even though you don’t really have any proof that it has any harm. You’re saying ‘We’re going to regulate first and ask questions later.’”

–Ald. Rey Colon

Despite the changes in the plan, some aldermen, such as Rey Colon of Chicago’s 35th District, are still not convinced. Colon believes regulating without regarding the lack of any known health risks is premature.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd District agreed, suggesting that a limit on sales to minors be enacted, but a ban on public vaping be postponed pending scientific evidence of a real health risk. Banning public vaping would force e-cigarette users into smoking areas, and Reilly explains “I… have friends and family members who are using (e-cigarettes) to quit, to get away from combustible tobacco that kills people.”

Chicago to ban indoor e-cigarette smoking – chicagotribune.com

Chicago One Step Closer to Public Vaping Ban