Those vaping in outdoor public spaces in Brampton and Mississauga will be subject to bylaw charges moving forward.

On Nov 20, councils in both cities agreed to rescind previous bylaws restricting tobacco smoking in outdoor public spaces in favour of a new one that includes the same restrictions on vaping.

“This motion is actually in response to direction that was given at the Region of Peel that each municipality pass a motion at the local level to prohibit vaping in public spaces along with smoking in public spaces,” Mississauga Ward 10 Coun. Sue McFadden told council.

The ban, which aligns with the Region of Peel’s new regulations first tabled in September, applies to outdoor public spaces, outdoor municipal properties, outdoor public construction sites and within nine metres of entrances to indoor places and indoor workplaces.

Vaping has become a controversial subject, with several Canadian municipalities enacting new regulations following a rash of illnesses — especially among young people in the United States — believed to be caused by its use.

While the federal government is still investigating what has been dubbed “severe pulmonary illness associated with vaping,” Health Canada issued an official warning on Sept. 4.

“In the wake of the recent cases of severe pulmonary illness and a number of deaths associated with the use of vaping products in the United States, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada provided national guidance to the provinces and territories on identifying cases in Canada,” the national health agency said.

“It is important for Canadians to know that vaping does have health risks and that the potential short- and long-term effects of vaping remain unknown. Non-smokers, people who are pregnant and young people should not vape,” it said.

Visit www.canada.ca for more information about the risks associated with vaping.

Disclaimer: These poll results are not scientific. They are the informal findings of a survey presented to the readers of The Mississauga News and Brampton Guardian and reflect the opinions of those readers who have chosen to participate. The survey is available online to anyone who is interested in taking it.