By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter
The Mesa City Council approved a ban on vaping in workplaces and the same public places where smoking tobacco is prohibited.
The Mesa Council voted 5-2 to approve the vaping ban.
Councilmember Kevin Thompson, who voted against the measure, said business owners need more time to digest and understand the implications of the public and workplace vaping ban.
“I think we are still kind of all confused on what exactly this ordinance is doing. I think the business community is confused as well,” said Thompson who advocated a delay in the ban.
“I would like to see this tabled,” Thompson said.
Mayor John Giles and the majority of the council backed the ordinance.
The city of Mesa is banning vaping in workplaces and the same public places where smoking tobacco is prohibited.
The Mesa City Council approved an ordinance Monday that adds vaping to the City Codes to restrictions on cigarette and other tobacco smoking. The restrictions also include city buildings and facilities.
“There has been extensive research regarding the negative health effects of vaping and inhaling second-hand vapors that led the Mesa City Council to support changing our smoking ordinance to include vaping,” Mayor John Giles said.
The new vaping restrictions go into effect June 9.
The prohibitions do not apply to vape shops or lounges that have separate ventilation systems. Giles said he did not believe any vape shops would require new ventilation systems
Several other cities in Arizona, as well as numerous other municipalities across the country, have approved new restrictions on vaping.
