State eCig Legislation: A discussion on the local regulations affecting your vape

Though ecigs have presented a perfect alternative to the hazy cloud of offensive smoke that traditional cigarettes are infamous for, there are still people out there who do not understand the benefits and are poised to fear and shun ecigarettes.  Instead they treat them like regular tobacco cigarettes—even though other than being able to deliver nicotine to users, are completely different in every other way.

Local, state and federal governments have been and are working on regulating ecigarette devices, eliquids and accessories. In this series, we will be discussing the regulations on ecigarettes that are pending or have already passed in certain states. That way you will be more aware of your local laws—where you can vape and where you cannot vape. But more importantly, you can take action against the pending regulations before it is too late.

The State of California:

Currently, there is no statewide ecigarette ban in California. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger actually vetoed a bill that would have regulated the sale of ecigs in the state.

He believed that “if adults want to purchase and consume these products with an understanding of the associated health risks, they should be able to do so.” But not all are so open to adults making choices for themselves.

Last year, Senator Ellen Corbett proposed Senate Bill 648, which was stated to classify ecigarettes just like tobacco products—this would effectively ban their use in places where tobacco cigarettes are already banned.

Though, SB648 was pushed aside for session, just hours before its discussion in the State Assembly. It is not known yet if Senator Corbett will be revising the bill to re-introduce it before the end of 2014.

Though there is no statewide ban, localities in California have taken it into their own hands to regulate ecigs in their districts. Along with Los Angeles, here is a list of the current cities in California with bans on ecig use in public places.

A proposed bill to ban the use of ecigs in Massachusetts is out. Help your fellow Vapers in Massachusetts now by reading our blog CALL TO ACTION: Stop Massachusetts from Banning eCig Use and follow the steps to help them take a stand!