People Voice Strong Opinions For, Against Proposed Vaping Ban
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Allegheny County Health Department listened Monday to comments for and against a proposed ban on vaping in public spaces. The department has proposed limiting the use of e-cigarettes by food service workers and prohibiting vaping where smoking is prohibited.
"It's pushing vapors outside into smoking sections. It's telling them that they cannot vape indoors anywhere they have to go into designated smoking sections," said store owner Tracy Rapport.
The department had expected 17 speakers at the hearing and there were several no shows. The speakers ranged from former smokers turned vapors against the proposal and supporters who believe vaping is risky.
"As vapors are forced away from their chosen healthy alternative, can somebody please help me the sense in all of this?" store owner Ryan Huntermark asked.
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"I am strongly in favor of the regulation, this will bring Pittsburgh in line with 500 other cities and ten other states," said Dr. Natasha Gender.
"Smoke Free Pennsylvania once again urges the health department to stop lying about life-saving vape products and urges the board to protect public health instead of big pharma and cigarette industry by rejecting this plan," said Bob Godshaw, with Smoke Free Pennsylvania.
The health department does not intend to vote on the proposed regulation until November. In a study two years ago, the health department found 20 percent of county teens aged 14-19 had already tried an e-cigarette.
"To me it's really important that kids not see e-cigarette as a normal adult activity because it is addictive," said Erica Fricke, an Allies For Children representative.
