Durham County has closed the loophole that allowed electronic cigarette use in public places. The ban will begin January 1, 2016.
“The enforcement part will come into play in July of 2016,” said health department director Gayle Harris. “We’re going to spend the next six months putting the signage up, educating people and doing a better job campaigning.”
The ban will make it illegal to use e-cigarettes in places such as sidewalks, parks, bus stops and other public property, except where there is a permitted smoking section.
“What we’ve seen with the introduction of electronic nicotine delivery systems has been an uptick in the use with teenagers,” she said. “We certainly don’t want to create an environment that sends the message that smoking is okay.”
Harris said non-smoking areas will be designated with the standard no smoking sign, but these areas will also include a sign that lets residents know e-cigarettes are not allowed.
“There is now a universal symbol for electronic nicotine delivery systems that will also be included within a circle with a line through it,” she said.”
In Orange County, there are a number of places, such as schools, libraries and UNC athletics facilities, which currently ban the use of e-cigarettes. However, they do not fall under the Orange County smoke free public places rule.
“At this point they are not looking to extend the rule to include e-cigarettes,” said Orange County Health Department public information officer Stacy Shelp. “At this point the place is to research this issue more and look at the health implications and whether or not they want to take action on it in the new year.”
Photo via vaping360.com
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