Kitsap Public Health
District posted an
updated draft of an ordinance Wednesday that would ban vaping
in indoor public places.
The district had been developing a much broader ordinance regulating vaping and vape shops in the county but a new state law on vaping nullified many of the proposed local rules.
The state law bans minors younger than 18 from possessing or purchasing vapor products, requires vapor retailers to obtain licenses and prohibits vaping in some public places, such as schools and playgrounds, frequented by children, among many other provisions.
The law didn’t address vaping in many indoor public places, and that’s the area the health district is targeting with its new draft ordinance.
The ordinance would prohibit vaping in any interior space available to the public, including workplaces, restaurants, stores, buses and elevators — essentially any enclosed gathering space that is not a private residence:
Under the proposed ordinance, establishments that bar entry to minors could obtain waivers to allow indoor vaping. The local ban also would not apply to vape shops, where vaping is still allowed under the new state law.
The public health board will review the new draft ordinance at its May 3 meeting, but will not take action until a later date.
The full text of the draft ordinance is posted below:
KPHB Draft Regulations Restricting Vaping in Indoor Public Places by Tad Sooter
Wow. I’m not a smoker but it is so funny to see all of this indignation over vamping when we are covering the county with pot shops.
Darn you, auto correct! I meant vaping.