Spokane County proposes a new law prohibiting the usage of vaping devices, otherwise known as electronic cigarettes in public places. (see below)

Smoking in Public Places Law

RCW 70.160 prohibits smoking in all public places and places of employment. Owners and persons in charge are responsible for ensure no employees, clients or patrons are smoking indoors or within 25 feet of any door, window, or exit. Owners must also post “No Smoking Signs” on all entrances to premise.

However, The Centers for Disease Control concedes in documentation online that "e-cigarettes appear to have far fewer of the toxins found in smoke compared to traditional cigarettes."

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the Medicines Healthcare Regulatory Association in the UK acknowledge that their use is safer than continued smoking.

WebMD says, "The biggest danger from tobacco is the smoke, and e-cigarettes don't burn. Tests show the levels of dangerous chemicals they give off are a fraction of what you'd get from a real cigarette."

A study published in the medical journal "Addiction" looked at over 3,500 smokers and had them use e-cigarettes. According to the medical journal, most smokers turned vapers — at least 92 percent — reported that the e-cigarette helped them quit or reduce smoking: "Users of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes reported better relief of withdrawal and a greater effect on smoking cessation than those using non-nicotine e-cigarettes."

If this prohibition goes through, the law will have a severe impact on local businesses. Vaping has provided a new kind of business opportunity that has opened up at least 20 small businesses within the greater Spokane area over the last 6 years. Eliminating vaping in public places would halt the sales of vape related products and would make it impossible for customers to test out new products and flavors of eliquid or 'juice'.

A large concern (and the biggest argument) Spokane City Council members have is the repercussions of second hand vaping to the public. The other argument is the sales and regulation of tobacco products falling in the hands of minors, and the possible appeal of vaping leading to cigarette usage in minors. There are many studies that have proven that second hand vape is no more harmful than breathing in city air, and even more studies related to vaping being up to 95% safer than traditional tobacco cigarettes. Although the regulation of the sales of eliquid are purely mandated by shop owners alone, there are many shops that do not allow minors in the store and/or you must have valid ID to purchase eliquid, even those made with 0% nicotine content.

The only thing banning vaping does is make it harder for people to stop smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes, and makes minors prone to illegal purchases of nicotine products. It has been proven that prohibition of items to minors only makes them more susceptible to turning to the black market or legal aged friends to purchase products for them. At that point, it is more harmful to ban vaping than it is it allow privately owned business owners to choose to allow vaping in/on their property while regulating sales only to persons 18+. Pierce County, WA has banned vaping in public along with adding new regulations: "e-cigarette liquid mist be sold in child-resistant packaging and retailers will be required to have an annual permit to sell the products". This would be beneficial as the state still makes money from businesses purchasing permits without forcing them out of business, but also regulates the safety to product packaging and regulation to sales only to those 18+ with valid ID.

I would also like to mention another safety aspect of vaping vs smoking. Vapers have no litter to toss about freely as cigarette users so frequently do with cigarette butts, and the fire hazards of smoking cigarettes are far more significant than vaping simply because there is no open flame with vaping devices. Most vape shops have many informational charts and literature on how to properly use, maintain and customize your device in the safest way possible, and provide atmospheres where both experienced and inexperienced vape users can exchange tips and safety knowledge.

Tobacco products have been taxed for years, but not all eliquid has tobacco in it. In my opinion, the state is more concerned with being able to tax a product to make a profit than the actual safety of the people. If there are trace amounts of aerosol in vapor emissions, then we should also reconsider the usage of fog machines, humidifiers, inhalers and aerosol based cleaning and hygiene products.

The main point of this petition is to make a compromise with the City of Spokane. In this compromise, it is not out of the question to prohibit use of vaping devices in public spaces ( include, but are not limited to: Schools, elevators, public conveyances or transportation facilities, museums, concert halls, theaters, auditoriums, exhibition halls, indoor sports arenas, hospitals, nursing homes, health care facilities or clinics, enclosed shopping centers, retail stores, retail service establishments, financial institutions, educational facilities, ticket areas, public hearing facilities, state legislative chambers and immediately adjacent hallways, public restrooms, libraries, restaurants, waiting areas, lobbies, ((and reception areas)) bars, taverns, bowling alleys, skating rinks, casinos, reception areas, and no less than seventy-five percent of the sleeping quarters within a hotel or motel that are rented to guests) or within twenty-five feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes that serve an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited as stated by RCW 70.160.020 and 1985 c 236 s 2. However, the use of vaping devices should be left up to business owners of establishments such as local privately owned businesses (retail stores, bars and taverns). Retail vape shops, who heavily rely on the testing of new flavors and products, holding group gatherings and competitions and provide safe and educational environments to vape enthusiasts should be able to make their own decisions to either allow or deny the usage of vaping devices on the property.

If it is as simple as putting a sign up to warn people not to smoke traditional tobacco cigarettes within 25 feet of entrances, exits, etc. then it is equally as simple as putting a sign underneath that excludes the use of vaping devices as well if a privately owned business so chooses to. And if requiring permit for sales and regulation of entry or sales to only those 18+ with valid ID, then it is a win-win situation.

I urge you, the people, to do your research on vaping and please sign this petition in support of keeping the power with the people who are making a conscious choice to use a safer smoking alternative. I will continue to post as many studies as possible in this fb group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/VGPGSpokane/.

A public comment period will be open January 4, 2016 through February 5, 2016. Comments may be provided during this time in writing by:

• Postal mail to Spokane Regional Health District, Attention: SIPP, 1101 W. College Ave., Spokane, WA 99202 or

• Email to SIPP@srhd.org.

A public hearing will take place at the monthly meeting of the SRHD Board of Health on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. at the health district offices, 1101 W. College Ave., Room 140, Spokane, Washington.

Board meetings and hearings are conducted in a facility which is readily accessible to everyone. For details with respect to accessibility, contact (509) 324-1512.

Sources:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/457102/Ecigarettes_an_evidence_update_A_report_commissioned_by_Public_Health_England_FINAL.pdf

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0122544#sec015

http://www.ecigalternative.com/ecigarette-studies-research.htm

http://www.evapswork.com/study-shows-e-cigarette-vapors-not-toxic-to-lung-tissue/

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/does-switching-to-e-cigarettes-make-your-body-any-healthier-040715#2

http://mynorthwest.com/992/2784358/Snohomish-County-ecig-ban-is-preposterous

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/pierce-county-bans-e-cigarettes-for-minors-vaping-in-public/

https://www.facebook.com/vapeaboutit/videos/823423637707335/?fref=nf

http://dailycaller.com/2015/10/14/scientists-accused-of-cooking-the-books-to-produce-toxic-e-cigarette-study/

http://vapeaboutit.com/scientific-study-proves-second-hand-vapor-is-not-harmful