Pubdate: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC) Copyright: 2014 Vancouver 24 hrs. Contact: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/letters Website: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837 Author: Ada Slivinski Page: 3 VANCOUVER RESTRICTS E-CIGS Vancouver City Council voted Wednesday night to place restrictions on e-cigarette use. The electronic vapourizers are now subject to the same rules as tobacco cigarettes, which means they cannot be used in public places or within six feet of doors or windows, sold to minors or advertised in any way that could reasonably be seen by minors. The decision came after two days of debate at City Hall. On Tuesday, councillors heard from Vancouver Coastal Health experts, who raised concerns about the chemicals in e-cigarettes, potentially harmful effects of second-hand vapour, as well as voicing fears that electronic-cigarette use in public spaces will renormalize smoking. On Wednesday, the public had an opportunity to speak. The vote was delayed to late Wednesday night after calls from marijuana advocates to have pot excluded from any changes to the smoking bylaw. Council decided, however, that it was not within their jurisdiction to legislate on marijuana use as it is a federal matter. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt