E-Smokers Being Subjected To Same Regulations as Tobacco Users

Recently, a revolutionary product appeared on the market that changed traditional smoking forever. The Electronic Cigarette is a battery operated device that vaporizes the nicotine to simulate a traditional cigarette. However, unlike traditional cigarettes, the e-cigarette does not include all of the harmful and life threatening carcinogens and other additives.

It also does not contribute to second-hand smoking, as there is no smoke that materializes when the e-cigarette is used. As e-cigarettes do not cause smoke, which is cited as a main complaint against traditional cigarette smokers, many e-cigarette smokers are asking why are e-cigarettes affected by the same laws against traditional cigarettes. E-smokers being subjected to same regulations as tobacco users, and below will outline just exactly what they are.

1. Movie Theater Regulations

Movie theater regulations are more of a common courtesy rather than a ban on the electronic cigarette because of its nature. Smokers of e-cigarettes are banned from smoking the cigarette within the movie theater, as to not distract other views from the movie. E-cigarettes in theaters are equivalent to cell phones and other lit devices, in that they protrude a distracting light.

2. Office Spaces

Office spaces are common work areas, and as such, many states are considering banning them in the workplace. There have been a number of complaints that have appeared against those who have begun smoking in the office, citing odor and discomfort as two of the main issues. States and localities that have actively started banning them in the workplace are New Jersey, North Dakota, Utah, Suffolk County, and Long Island.

3. College Campuses

Traditional cigarettes are banned from being smoked near or in buildings and common areas. Now, many university campuses have implemented or are currently seeking to establish the same regulations for e-cigarettes. Some of the campuses that have simply regulated where one can smoke an e-cigarette are USCB, South Carolina Beaufort, and North Carolina Chapel-Hill. Other universities have taken an even more drastic approached and banned both the traditional cigarette and e-cigarette altogether. Schools on this list include Idaho State, Missouri State University, and the University of Texas-Austin.

4. Taxing

What was once seen as a benefit to e-cigarettes may not be any longer. Many individuals who have moved to e-cigarettes have done so because of their cost effectiveness, among other reasons. However, with new legislation setting to tax e-cigarettes as regular cigarettes are taxed, things just might get more costly. For example, Minnesota classifies e-cigarettes as an "other tobacco product," and thus taxes it 95% of the wholesale price. Other states that are trying to follow suit (but have since failed) are Oklahoma and Utah.

5. Indoor Bans

With the FDA's lack of action regarding e-cigarettes, states are making their own rules and regulations regarding them. Currently, a number of states have banned e-cigarettes in any indoor vicinity, barring users from smoking in buildings. States that are included on this list are Utah, North Dakota, Arkansas, and New Jersey. California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts are each taking action to do the same.

6. Can't Buy Online?

One of the main and ongoing issues for both the federal and state governments is the online sale of e-cigarettes. Because e-cigarettes contain nicotine, they are prohibited from being sold to minors. Banning the product online would prevent minors from purchasing it and also possibly reducing its accessibility for many individuals. The current progress on the matter is simply still in its initial stages, as both government and e-cigarette companies are working together to prevent the product from being sold to underage individuals.

7. Overall Ban

The most drastic and ultimate moves that can be taken is to ban e-cigarettes, which is what the cities of Chicago and New York are considering doing. This consideration is in place due to the lack of solid EPA regulations on e-cigarettes, making them less simple to control.

8. Blockades to FDA Regulations

While there are efforts being made by both states and government to regulate electronic cigarettes, there are certain issues that are preventing legislation. For example, one of the main problems is that the FDA hasn't officially provided a concrete classification for e-cigarettes. The FDA is still unsure of whether or not to categorize it as an official "cigarette" or provide it with its own separate stage. Due to the differences between e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, legislators are reluctant to categorize both under the same umbrella term. However, it is expected that the FDA will issue a series of additional regulations in the upcoming months that will affect e-cigarettes not just in particular states, but nationwide.

Despite the reluctance to define the term under regular cigarettes, some expect that e-cigarettes will be classed as tobacco products anyways. Because they may be considered as official cigarettes, e-cigarettes will be subject to the same laws and regulations that affect traditional cigarettes. While the matter is unclear now in terms of EPA regulation, it should become much more apparent in a matter of months. As of now, the above points are the regulations that e-cigarettes are currently subject to.

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