Vaping Would Be Banned Inside Restaurants, Elsewhere Under New Law

Boston, MA - A bill passed by the Senate Thursday would not only ban tobacco sales to those under age 21, but would regulate where Bay Staters can "vape," similar to current restrictions on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

If the bill passes, Massachusetts would prohibit people from smoking e-cigarettes and similar devices inside restaurants, bars, and other places where a smoking ban is already in place under the state's "smoke-free workplace law."

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"That makes sense, because when you vape, you do blow out a vapor. It may have all kinds of different chemicals in it," said bill sponsor Sen. Jason Lewis, a Middlesex County Democrat.

Additionally, Lewis said, allowing e-cigarettes in places where regular cigarettes are prohibited "normalizes" vaping in the eyes of young people. Around 175 cities and towns across the state currently employ some form of regulation on e-cigarettes, Lewis said. The proposed bill is meant to codify those bans into state statute.

What do you think? Should Massachusetts ban vaping everywhere that cigarettes are banned? Weigh in in the comment section below.

The bill next goes through the House. If approved there, Gov. Charlie Baker has indicated he will pass the bill into law, depending on the final form it takes.

>> Top photo by Vaping360 via Flickr/Creative Commons