Politics & Government

Philadelphia Bans 'Vaping:' What Do You Think?

Supporters of vaping say that it is harmless and can help with smoking cessation, while those opposed to it say it poses a public-health concern.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter this week signed into law two bills that severely limit "vaping" in the City of Brotherly Love.

"Vaping" is the use of electronic cigarettes, cigars or hookahs.

The first bill signed by Mayor Nutter on Wednesday immediately makes illegal the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

The second outlaws the use of all e-cig products just about everywhere in Philadelphia, including schools, workplaces, hospitals, bars and restaurants, stores, museums, movie theaters, and the common areas of apartment buildings and hotels. That ban goes into effect July 1, the Inquirer said.

“This legislation is an extension of the Clean Indoor Air Act. These sensible regulations will protect the health and wellness of every Philadelphia citizen, especially our young people, by limiting the sale of and exposure to e-cigarette products,” Nutter said on Wednesday. 

New Jersey was the first state to put in place bans on vaping, which it did in 2009. A number of other states have followed, including Kansas, Maryland and New York.

Pennsylvania State Sen. Tim Solobay in 2013 introduced a bill, SB 1055, that would have banned the sale of e-digs to minors in the commonwealth. As of March of this year, it was before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Supporters of vaping say that it is harmless and can help with smoking cessation, the Inquirer said, while those opposed to it say it poses a public-health concern.

What do you think about vaping? Would you support statewide bans similar to those put in place by Philadelphia?


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