Debate continues on whether e-cigarettes are legal in public places

By Kathryn Menue
Editor
BOONE COUNTY – Study after study has shown that cigarettes are a dangerous product filled with toxic chemicals to both the individuals smoking the cigarettes and to the bystanders caught around the cloud of smoke. This is why so many people are trying out methods that are known to be effective when trying to quit smoking. One thing that people could try is hypnosis Orlando FL. But there are alternative methods for quitting too.
With the growing knowledge and concern surrounding cigarettes and other tobacco based products, the more people are turning to alternative resources to quit smoking. This search for alternative resources for tobacco-based products has led to the invention of e-cigarettes. With companies like Hamilton Devices that exists, there are no excuses anymore as to why anyone who is thinking of giving up smoking wouldn’t be able to achieve this goal. When you think about it, there are no benefits to smoking in relation to your health, so it makes more sense to find an alternative route or to quit altogether. Like any new product, people have found perks and some concerns with the e-cigarettes.
Although e-cigarettes have aided people in their pursuit to quit smoking, some individuals are concerned that e-cigarettes might have health risks similar to regular tobacco-based products.
Thus, state representatives have looked into e-cigarettes and implemented a bill to ban the smoking of e-cigarettes indoors.
According to The State Journal Register, “Electronic cigarettes work by heating an oil, potentially using a product like a mi pod, until it becomes vapor and can be inhaled. The oil can contain both flavor and nicotine, mimicking the effect of smoking a tobacco cigarette.”
However, other than nicotine, the ingredient list on what the “oil” contains remains widely unknown.
Plus, the cloud of smoke emitted from the “vaporizers”
alarms individuals who are not accustomed with the product.
Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Addison of Illinois, sponsored House Bill 2404 in 2014, which would ban the use of e-cigarettes or “vaping” indoors in Illinois.
Illinois already passed a ban on smoking indoors in 2008, but the ban predated e-cigarettes invention. Controversy still remains on whether or not e-cigarettes are included in this ban.
Technically, since the law has no mention of e-cigarettes, a new ban would have to be implemented if lawmakers want to rid “vaping” indoors. But until then, the use of vaping devices are fine to use, especially with the use of high quality e liquid, you’ll be good to go! With this being said, it is always important to be considerate of others around you, even if you are blowing out puffs of strawberry scented smoke instead of cigarette tobacco.
Rep. Kathleen Willis has implemented such a bill to ban the use of “vaping” indoors.
According to WTHITV news, the bill, “if it becomes law, would amend the Smoke Free Illinois Act of 2007 to include e-cigarettes.”
Willis has met some resistance from her bill, so she amended the document to only include schools, public places, and government facilities.
Recently, Willis decided to put the bill on hold until the FDA (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) rules a finding on e-cigarettes. As of now, e-cigarettes are not FDA approved.
The FDA hoped to have findings available by June, but have decided to postpone until they have more information on the product.
The FDA has held public workshops on e-cigarettes, including forums on June 1 and June 2. The FDA will also allow for online comment
contributions on e-cigarettes until July 2.
The FDA encourages individuals to post logical, and good scientific evidence on e-cigarettes at the Federal Register. The FDA will also accept dockets on Regulations.gov.
For now, the FDA cautions individuals about e-cigarettes stating, “E-cigarettes have not been fully studied, so consumers currently don’t know: the potential risks of e-cigarettes, when used as intended, how much nicotine or other potentially harmful chemicals are being inhaled during use, or whether there are any benefits associated with using these products.”
The FDA listed additional concerns with e-cigarettes including that, “it is not known whether e-cigarettes may lead young people to try other tobacco products, including conventional cigarettes, which are known to cause disease and lead to premature death.”
Despite the hold on the state legislation and the hold on the FDA’s findings, Boone County has its own ordinance on smoking.
According to the Boone County, Ill. Code of Ordinances, section 38-298, “Smoking in public places, places of employment, and governmental vehicles is strictly prohibited.”
The ordinance makes clear that smoke or smoking is “inhaling or exhaling of any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, hookah, weed, herbs, or any other lighted smoking equipment.”
Boone County’s ordinance covers e-cigarettes, even though
the state doesn’t cover e-cigarettes in their legislation.
Technically, “smoking e-cigarettes in public places, places of employment, and governmental vehicles is prohibited” within Boone County limits.
The ordinance also clarifies that “no person shall smoke in a public place or in any place of employment or within 15 feet of any entrance to a public place or place of employment. No person may smoke in any vehicle owned, leased, or operated by the State of Illinois or a political subdivision of the state. An owner shall reasonably assure that smoking is prohibited in indoor public places and workplaces unless specifically exempted by section 38-302.”
All in all, smoking e-cigarettes in public places within Illinois until legislation is passed to include e-cigarettes in the Smoke Free Illinois Act of 2007 is legal. However, e-cigarettes are “prohibited” in public places in Boone County due to ordinance number 09-17.