By Catherine Griwkowsky – August 31, 2015

Vaping enthusiasts are fuming about a city proposal to treat e-cigarettes like other tobacco products.

The amendment to the bylaw, which would require council approval, was proposed at a Community Services Committee meeting on Monday.

A dozen speakers came before the committee to speak to the suggestion that e-cigarettes should be banned in public places, calling for an exemption for vape shops.

Terrence Rowland-Bow is a smoker turned e-cigarette user who said his doctor told him to keep vaping after noticeable health improvements. He tried all smoking cessation options available and was facing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. With reduced lung capacity, exercise was difficult and he was overweight.

“It saved my life, plain and simple,” Rowland-Bow said.

But Councilors are not convinced the benefits are proven. Council heard medical professionals and business owners on March 23 and Alberta Health Services backed Health Canada’s position, which is that the effects of e-cigarettes have not been tested thoroughly enough.

Coun. Michael Walters said by providing an exemption for e-cig stores might send the message that the city is saying vaping is proven to be safe, contrary to advice from medical professionals.

Store owners argue it’s difficult for users to start e-cigarettes on their own without being able to test different flavors and nicotine levels in e-juice.

Users and store owners alike cited a study from Public Health England published earlier this month that said the best information available shows e-cigarettes are 95 per cent less harmful than tobacco cigarettes.

Coun. Dave Loken said he had not had time to review the research, but pointed out none of the researchers were medical doctors.

Coun. Bryan Anderson, who voted down an amendment to allow an exemption at a previous meeting, voted to see the motion back before council – although he’s not optimistic an allowance for the shops would pass.

“Either way I’m going to force council to decide again whether they want to allow an exemption,” Anderson said.

In order for the motion to be changed he requires a “super majority” of nine Councillors to vote in favor.

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