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A 561-person online poll the city commissioned says more than half of Calgarians feel uncomfortable when somebody close by is puffing on an e-cigarette.

“Research has identified compounds of concern in e-cigarette vapour which can be both an irritant and a potential health issue,” a committee report says. “Citizen survey results further indicate that many Calgarians consider vapour produced by e-cigarettes to be a nuisance, which can impact the enjoyment and comfort for people in public places.”

Coun. Diane Colley-Urquhart, chair of the community services committee, said she’s “delighted” by the report. A registered nurse, she first proposed council investigate an e-cigarette crackdown last year. Coun. Jim Stevenson, who earlier opposed a ban on smoking near sports fields, is skeptical they pose any health risk, and that it’s a matter for the city.

“This is the kind of thing that should be done federally,” he said. While Health Canada continues to study how to regulate the devices, Calgary bylaw staff are also urging the mayor to lobby for provincial policy.

At Foggy Gorilla Vaping Co. on Macleod Trail, manager Nikko Casem said he sees the rationale for banning e-cigarettes in mall food courts or restaurants. But a city ban would also prohibit vaping in stores like his.

“We couldn’t really demonstrate what we’re trying to sell,” Casem said of the devices they offer to help get smokers off burning tobacco.

If councillors adopt the change, this would be the second major crackdown on smoking in Alberta in as many weeks. NDP Health Minister Sarah Hoffman announced Sunday that menthol cigarette sales would be banned province-wide by this fall, joining other types of flavoured cigarettes which became illegal to sell June 1.