Wauwatosa Passes E-Cigarette, Vape Ban

WAUWATOSA, WI — E-cigarettes and vape devices are no longer allowed in various parts of Wauwatosa in a manner similar to that of cigarettes after city officials unanimously approved a new ordinance.

The new ordinance, passed on Aug. 6 by Common Council members, means that vape device and e-cigarette users - no matter the substance inside of it - are prohibited from using their devices indoors in all Wauwatosa workplaces, schools, restaurants, bars and other businesses.

The Wauwatosa Board of Health voted unanimously in November 2018 to propose amendments to local ordinances in order to prohibit the use of e-cigarettes and other vaping products in all places where tobacco is currently prohibited, including restaurants, bars and workplaces as defined in the Wisconsin Smoke Free Air Act.

The proposed amendments also restrict the sale and possession of e-cigarettes to those 18 years of age and older.

According to the Wauwatosa Health Department, 6.3 percent of Wauwatosa teens reported using an e-cigarette or vaping product more than once in a 30-day period as outlined in a 2017 Youth Risk Behavior study. The study also found that 20 percent of youth have smoked a cigarette at least once in their life