Public Indoor Vaping Ban Comes To Palatine

PALATINE, IL — Indoor public vaping will be banned in Palatine, and violators could be fined following a new measure passed by the Village Council this week. The ban, which was introduced by Councilman Tim Millar last month, is part of the Palatine's clean air indoor ordinance was fueled by secondhand smoke health concerns connected to smoking e-cigarettes.

Council members passed the ban unanimously as part of the council's consent agenda during its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 17. It is expected to go into effect Jan. 2, which is comparable when the original indoor ordinance was enacted in 2007.

Under the ban, vaping — the heating of liquid nicotine into an inhalable vapor with an e-cigarette — will be prohibited in public place and work areas in Palatine. It also will not be allowed within 15 feet of the door of a public area, a restriction that's similar to how traditional cigarettes are treated in the village.

RELATED: Ban On Vaping Indoors In Public Eyed By Palatine

The following areas are some of the places that will be subject to the ban, according to the ordinance:

• bars and restaurants
• gyms, swimming pool and health spas
• office areas
• ice rinks and bowling alleys
• train and bus stations
• enclosed or semi-enclosed sports pavilions, stadiums and recreation areas

The measure does allow for a few exceptions. Those include:

• private residences
• designated smoking hotel and motel rooms
• private and semi-private rooms in nursing homes and long-term care facilities

First-time violators could face a $100 fine, and that includes owners and managers of public places and work areas affected by the ban. Fines of $500 could be imposed for subsequent violations within a year of the first one, according to the ordinance.

Along with the public vaping ban, Palatine officials are considering raising the age to buy vaping products to 21, joining other nearby communities such as Buffalo Grove and Elk Grove. Illinois also considering raising the age to buy tobacco and vaping products to 21.

Go to the Palatine's website to read the full ban and watch video from Tuesday's meeting.

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