The Orange County Board of Health will delay the vote on a resolution that would ban all use of electronic cigarettes in bars and restaurants across the county.

“Because the science is so incredibly important to this decision, I would recommend you wait and let some national vetting of this emerging science occur,” said county health director Colleen Bridger.

The Surgeon General is scheduled to release a report on the effects of e-cigarettes in the fall and the board will wait for the results of that report before making a decision.

They will also have an expert look at the report and share their thoughts.

“Little is known about the long term effects of vaping on the lung,” said director of the UNC Center for Tobacco Regulatory Science Rob Tarran. “However, e-cigarettes appear to cause changes in the lung in the gene and protein level consistent with immunosuppression.”

Tarran was in favor of the ban, but his voice was far from the only one heard, as people on both sides of the argument addressed the board.

Those opposed to the ban said the county should let individual businesses choose their own policies and that there was not enough evidence to prove that vapor from these products are harmful.

Vaping products are also commonly used to help tobacco users move away from normal cigarettes.

One resident said the ban would force people trying to quit smoking to be exposed to the cigarettes they are trying to get away from.

“By banning vaping products from area businesses, it forces me outside to be around the smokers, continue the health issues that I already have,” she said.

Those in favor of the ban said allowing it in restaurants and bars would renormalize smoking and influence children to try tobacco products.

East Chapel Hill High School student Sophie Jin said there has been a rise in young people using e-cigarettes and the ban would help solve the problem.

“This rule would restrict health risks in public areas and prevent our future generations to start experimenting with a dangerous product,” she said. “Although advertised as safe and reliable, more and more research has been published that documents harmful effects.”

No date has been set for the next time the board will look at this issue.

Related Stories
‹
Ban Vaping In Orange County Bars And Restaurants?
Should "vaping" be prohibited in the enclosed areas of bars and restaurants? The Board of Health wants your input.
Orange County's Public Smoking Ban Goes Into Effect
HILLSBOROUGH- Starting Monday July 1, you could be fined for smoking outdoors in Orange County. Orange County Commissioners and the Board of Health approved a broad smoking ban last year. Now, following six months of preparation, officials say they’re ready to put it into full effect. The ban prohibits smoking in almost all public outdoor […]
Sen. Graig Meyer Shares Updates on State Budget Impasse, Medicaid, Disaster Relief and More
Ahead of the North Carolina General Assembly reconvening, state Sen. Graig Meyer joined 97.9 The Hill to discuss several topics on his mind.
Orange County Sheriff's Office Investigating Death at Nature Preserve
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the discovery of a deceased Durham man Friday morning. Investigators said in a release the body of Calvin Demond Smith-Taylor, 36, was discovered at the edge of a parking lot at the Brumley North Nature Preserve just before 7:30 a.m. Friday morning. The parking lot of the preserve […]
Orange County: Rural Broadband Vote and a Life Saving Action at Stanback Middle School
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, September 17, discussing county news and events. She talked about the commissioners decision to amend their rural broadband agreement with Lumos. She also described a life saving action by staff at Stanback Middle School after a student went into cardiac arrest. She discussed the future Orange County Crisis Diversion Center, and more.
Conversations We Need To Have: Orange County Chief Civil Rights Officer Paul Slack
Orange County Chief Civil Rights Officer Paul Slack spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, September 15. He discussed recent work of the Office of Civil Rights, and previewed some upcoming events for the county, and more.
Chapel Hill Changes Its Leaf Collection Policy to Only Accept Containers
With the fall season approaching, the Town of Chapel Hill is changing how it collects leaves and is no longer collecting loose piles.
FEMA Approves Disaster Assistance for Chantal's Flood-Damaged Areas, Including Orange County
Two months after flash floodwaters ripped through central North Carolina, funding from FEMA is headed to the affected areas.
Orange County: Highlights From Commissioners Meeting, CARE Team Expands, More
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, September 10, discussing county news and events. She talked about highlights from the county commissioners meeting, which included a request for more information on the Land Use 2050 Plan. She discussed the recent funding of an expansion for […]
Orange County Creates Work Group to Advise Its Property Tax Revaluation Approach
The Orange County commissioners approved the creation of a work group to review and potentially update its property tax assessment process.
›