Electronic cigarettes could soon be subject to the same sale and usage restrictions as tobacco cigarettes in Vancouver.
Vancouver’s city council is expected to take the matter up for a vote early next week, reports 24hrs Vancouver.
A city report recommends Vancouver prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, as well as ban their use in the same places where smoking is not allowed.
Should these regulations be passed into law, Vancouver would be one of the few cities in Canada to align their electronic cigarette restrictions with those in place for regular smoking practices.
Health officials and local leaders have concerns about the marketing of e-cigs for recreational purpose, as well as their flavourings that may be enticing to minors.
“I think actually that council will take this [issue] very seriously for a number of reasons,” Vancouver city councillor Elizabeth Ball told Global News.
“Certainly the city can make certain changes on some of these … can require things to be kept out of sight, like cigarettes and so on,” Councillor Geoff Meggs told 24hrs Vancouver.
E-cigarette vendors worry such a strident change in local law might have a negative impact on their businesses.
Featured image: Woman smoking e-cigarette/Shutterstock
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