Written by Michael Palomba
Last Tuesday, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted in favor of a one year ban on the sale and distribution of all electronic smoking devices.
The ban, which passed 3-2, will only affect sales in unincorporated areas of San Diego.
In addition to the ban on devices, all flavored smoking products will be prohibited. The ban also prohibits smoking in outdoor dining areas, and establishes a buffer zone outside of outdoor dining areas.
Supervisors Greg Cox, Nathan Fletcher, and Dianne Jacob voted in favor of the ban, while their colleagues Jim Desmond and Kristin Gaspar were opposed.
The decision came after a long and—at some points—emotional public hearing. Vaping deaths have been a huge concern in recent times, with 33 confirmed deaths across the country.
Residents in favor of the ban cited the growing national health concerns over flavored vaping products.
Those opposed claimed that the epidemic stems from black-market THC products and that vaping has helped countless people quit smoking typical cigarettes. Opponents also said that the ban could hurt businesses that rely on the sale of vaping products.
Photo by Lindsay Fox via ecigarettereviewed.com
