EVERETT — The Snohomish Health District wants to hear from the public about a proposed ban on the use of electronic cigarettes in public places.
If approved, Snohomish County would join four other counties — King, Pierce, Grant and Clark — in regulating e-cigarettes as they do tobacco, said Heather Thomas, a health district spokeswoman.
The public comment period will run from July 6 to July 31. A public meeting also has been scheduled on July 21. A location will be announced later.
“Our goal is to look at the issue, the emerging science and engage the public to find out what their views are and how, by including ‘vaping’ in the smoking-in-public-places law, that would impact the community,” Thomas said.
People have the right to vape, or use e-cigarettes, in their home, Thomas said. “That doesn’t mean the rest of the community needs to be subjected to the risk” of the vapors created by the devices, she said.
Washington voters approved a ban on smoking in public places in 2005. It was the 10th state to prohibit smoking in all restaurants and bars and was the fifth state to enforce smoke-free workplaces.
The health district first announced it was considering a ban on vaping in public places in February. At the time, Dr. Gary Goldbaum, who directs the public health agency, said the increasing number of youth using e-cigarettes was alarming. The companies manufacturing e-cigarettes are targeting youth in their marketing, telling them that vaping is “cool and safe,” he said.
There has been an increase in youth using e-cigarettes, both statewide and in Snohomish County.
Results from a 2014 survey of local youth show that 9.1 percent of eighth-graders, 16.6 percent of 10th-graders and 21.1 percent of 12th-graders had used e-cigarettes, Thomas said.
Statewide, eighth- and 10th-grade students were more than twice as likely to be vaping than smoking cigarettes.
Following several meetings this summer, the health district board is expected to vote on whether to approve the drafting of a regulation banning vaping in public places in September, Thomas said.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com
Comment on vaping
The Snohomish Health District will take public comment on a proposed ban on vaping — the use of electronic cigarettes — in public places from July 6 to July 31.
Comments can be sent to sipp@snohd.org or mailed to the Snohomish Health District, 3020 Rucker Ave., Everett, WA 98201. Call 425-339-8688 for information. Information is available online at bit.ly/1J8ReZp.
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