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Kitsap Sun (6/7/16)
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Kitsap Daily News 5/5/2016
Kitsap Sun (5/4/16)
Kitsap Sun (5/1/16)
Kitsap Daily News 4/30/2016
Kitsap Daily News 4/21/2016
Kitsap Sun (4/21/16)
Kitsap Daily News 3/17/2016
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News release 4/19/16: Kitsap Public Health Board to consider new local vaping ordinance
News release 4/27/16: Kitsap Public Health District releases revised draft vaping ordinance
Did you know…
There are more than 500 brands and more than 7,000 flavors of vaping liquids, but there are no regulations on the manufacturing or use of vaping products.
KITSAP PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD APPROVES LOCAL VAPOR PRODUCTS ORDINANCE
SUMMARY: At the June 7, 2016 meeting of the Kitsap Public Health Board, the Board approved the Kitsap Public Health Board Ordinance 2016-1: Regulations Restricting Vaping in Indoor Public Spaces. This ordinance took effect immediately.After several years of discussion, the Kitsap Public Health Board asked the Kitsap Public Health District meeting to develop an ordinance to address vaping and vaping products (e-cigarettes) for Kitsap County. A draft ordinance was presented at the February 2 Kitsap Public Health Board meeting. This vapor products ordinance was designed to protect the public's health by prohibiting vaping in public places, and by regulating the sales of vapor products to reduce access by underage youth.
We conducted extensive public outreach, including three public workshops throughout Kitsap County in March 2016 to take input on this ordinance. When the Governor signed into law Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6328, An Act Relating to Youth Vapor Product Substance Use Prevention and Vapor Product Regulation in late March, the Kitsap Public Health District revised the local draft vapor product ordinance at the request of the Board.
The revised ordinance prohibits the use of vapor products in indoor public places, including the "presumptively reasonable minimum distance" of 25 feet to doors, windows that open, or intake vents of indoor public places where vaping is prohibited. The "presumptively reasonable minimum distance" aspect mirrors the same requirement of the Smoking in Public Places law, RCW 70.160.
The revised draft ordinance had included a waiver provision that would allow vaping in indoor public places under certain conditions. The Health District presented this version of the revised ordinance to the Kitsap Public Health Board for an initial review during its May 3, 2016 meeting, at which time the Board asked the District to remove the waiver provision of the ordinance.
A formal public hearing on the proposed ordinance was held during the regularly scheduled Kitsap Public Health Board meeting on Tuesday, June 7, 2016. There were no comments made during the public hearing, after which the board voted unanimously to approve the ordinance.
It is important to note:
- Vaping product retailers that are licensed by the Washington State Liquor & Cannabis Board are not covered by this local ordinance and are allowed to have vaping in their locations, as allowed in the new state law, SB 6328.
- The ordinance includes transition time for existing vapor product retailers for the period between when the ordinance becomes effective and the state license application and issuance period. This change will allow vapor product retailers in existence prior to the effective date of this ordinance to be exempt from prohibiting the use vapor products in their stores while they are waiting for the state to issue them a license.
Learn more about vaping and e-cigarettes
- Proposed Kitsap Public Health District Vapor Products Ordinance: Responsiveness Record
- NBC News: E-cigarettes deliver harmful chemicals
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center: Ecigs a gateway to smoking
- Washington State Dept. of Health E-Cigarette resources
- E-Cigarettes and lung health
- CDC: E-cigarettes and youth
- Snohomish County Health District Vaping & Vaping Products website
- CDC Cessation Help
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinal "Gasping for Action" article
- Summary of Key Areas of Vapor Product Research
- Harvard Guide to Using Sources
- FDA Extending Authorities to All Tobacco Products, Including E-Cigarettes, Cigars, and Hookah
- E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General