Saskatoon moves to add e-cigs to smoking bans

Saskatoon city councillors have moved to add electronic cigarettes to the existing bans on public smoking.

The Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services voted unanimously Monday to send the issue to the full meeting of council on Aug. 20.

E-cigarettes and “vaping” have become increasingly popular in recent years. Though the battery-powered devices produce vapour and not smoke, they can pack a greater nicotine punch than traditional cigarettes.

The potential health risks of e-cigarette use are still uncertain. Federal regulators have been slow to act, leading some municipalities to implement their own bans.

City councillor Pat Lorje said Saskatoon’s city administration first started looking into the issue after some people were caught vaping on city buses. 

A proposed change to Saskatoon’s no-smoking policy would ban e-cigarette use in city-owned buildings, pools, seating areas of outdoor sports venues and within nine metres of the entrance of any civic building.

A further change to the smoking control bylaw would also ban vaping in cafes, bars, and restaurants.

kdoering@rawlco.com

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