Smoking, Vaping - And Animal Bans On Town Property Gets Hearing

EAST HAVEN, CT - A public hearing has been slated on banning smoking and vaping on East Haven town property.

Whether to ban dogs and other animals from the East Haven Town Beach will also be discussed at another, separate public hearing.

Both hearings, in front of the Town Council, will be held at 7 p.m. on July 2nd at the Senior Center on Tyler Avenue.

Many towns across the state have taken action to ban vaping and smoking by those under age 21 but not many have called for outright bans on all ages.

Though the state Legislature just passed legislation to ban smoking and vaping at state park beaches by a bipartisan vote.

Multiple studies have been conducted on the health risks associated with secondhand smoke from e-cigarettes. According to the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, electronic cigarettes emit potentially toxic substances.

The American Lung Association, which has provided public testimony in favor of this legislation, reported that E-cigarettes produce dangerous chemicals which can cause lung and heart disease. The United States Surgeon General has also warned against the risks of inhaling secondhand smoke from e-cigarettes.

In addition to the health risks involved with inhaling secondhand smoke, vaping and smoking at state park beaches also contributes to pollution and ocean pollution. Due to cigarette filters not being biodegradable, they can release toxins into the air and put all at risk.