Page dismissed the analysis as a “position paper” that gives “vague legitimacy to the health benefits of vaping.”

The councilman, physicians and nonprofit health organizations advocating for T21 instead pointed to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration study equating tobacco and vaping, to support their position.

“We know vaping products are tobacco products, the FDA told us that,” Page told reporters. “(Vaping) is not a legitimate cessation product.”

Corey Noles, the editor of Vape magazine, voiced disappointment at the council decision.

“There is no one more opposed to tobacco products than this group of people,” Noles said, adding that e-cigarette backers would have “knocked on doors” on behalf of T21 had it been limited to tobacco products.

Pro-vaping forces have not discussed mounting a legal challenge to T21.

Noles said the nonaligned vaping coalition would next make its case to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen.

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay indicated on Twitter two weeks ago that he would pursue legislation for the city to follow the county’s lead on T21.