VIDEO (above): Councillors will vote next week on expanded regulations for e-cigarettes in Vancouver. Jeremy Hunka reports.
Many smokers in Vancouver have gotten away with lighting up in public places by using electronic cigarettes, but that could change soon.
Currently, there is no by-law restricting electronic, or e-cigarettes, in Vancouver but next week city council will be considering whether the devices should fall under the same restrictions as regular cigarettes.
The restrictions would include a ban on smoking in public — at beaches, parks and patios — staying a minimum distance away from windows and doors, and not allowing sales to minors.
“I think actually that council will take this very seriously for a number of reasons,” Vancouver city councillor Elizabeth Ball told Global News.
“First of all children. People don’t want to see children being seduced into thinking it’s okay to smoke somehow or some way.”
Not only is there fear that the fruit-flavoured vapour could entice young smokers, there’s also a fierce debate over their effectiveness.
A recent study suggests e-cigarettes may actually make quitting smoking more difficult and since the product is new, health officials are warning the public that the long-term health impacts are unknown.
“Short-term studies are showing that these are much less harmful than cigarettes,” Chris Murphy from Vapor Line said. “But who knows, right?”
Regardless of the studies and health warnings, e-smoke shop operators are saying e-cigarettes are exploding in Vancouver and worry a ban would impact their growing business.
The issue will be considered at a Vancouver city council meeting next week.
~ with files from Jeremy Hunka
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