E-cigarettes to be treated the same as tobacco

City council has taken a stand against smoking electronic cigarettes in public.

Although there's no scientific evidence to suggest the vapor from e-cigarettes is dangerous, councillors say they want to take precautions, just in case.

They voted to ban smoking e-cigarettes, or vaping, anywhere cigarette smoke is not allowed.

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"It was an evidence-based decision," Coun. Michael Walters said.

"We got some pretty serious advice from some senior medical advisors for the province, who said they're not regulated, they're not well-understood, so err on the side of caution."

Several e-cigarette smokers showed up to a council committee meeting in March to ask council not to lump them in with regular smokers.

They said they used vaping to quit smoking, and forcing them to stand next to cigarette smoke would undermine their progress.

In response to those concerns, Walters said Tuesday that outside is "a big place."

Mayor Don Iveson said he has heard from people who've complained about sitting next to thoseusing e-cigarettes on transit or in public places.

"They're finding it an intrusion on the quiet enjoyment of public space without having to breath in somebody's second-hand something or other," Iveson said.

"From a public health point of view, that's a superseding good."

The public will have a chance to weigh on any new rules before they are approved, when the bylaw goes before the city's community services committee.

Right now, smoking is banned in public buildings, within 5 metres of doorways, on business patios, on transit, or within 10 metres of a playground.

Councillors briefly considered allowing vaping in stores that sold e-cigarettes, but ultimately decided against it.

"It was easier to just be consistent," Iveson said. "Much like, if you want to test a cigar you have to go outside the cigar shop to smoke it, if you want to test an e-cigarette you have to go outside to try it."

The city doesn't regulate where the devices are sold or who can legally buy them.