East Ridge votes to ban e-cigarettes in city buildings

photo A smoker demonstrates an e-cigarette.

East Ridge is one step closer to prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes inside its publicly-owned buildings.

In a unanimous vote at its Thursday meeting, the City Council approved an ordinance on first reading that would prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes in city-owned or leased buildings. Currently, no rule prohibits the use of nicotine vaporizers in city buildings.

Councilman Larry Sewell was on vacation and was not present for the vote.

City Councilman Marc Gravitt said the ban would apply only to municipally-owned and leased buildings, not the outdoor property or city equipment and vehicles.

According to the ordinance, a person who is found using a vapor product will first be asked to stop, and if that person refuses, they will be escorted off of the property. No fines or penalties are mentioned.

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