WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the American Vaping Association, a leading advocate for the benefits of vaping products such as electronic cigarettes, reacted to the Baltimore City Council’s favorable vote on Bill 14-0371, which would ban the use of smoke-free vaping products in most workplaces in the city. The bill, which is sponsored by Councilman James Kraft and will require a third reading before it heads to the Mayor’s desk, permits vaping in bars and restaurants that post signage indicating vaping is allowed, and also does not restrict usage in vape shops (e-cigarette specialty stores).
Gregory Conley, president of the American Vaping Association, issued the following statement:
“Business owners should retain the right to allow or prohibit vaping in their establishment, especially given that e-cigarettes have not been shown to pose any appreciable risk to bystanders. For that reason, we remain opposed to the enactment of any vaping bans by local or state governments.
“While the newly passed bill allows vaping in some venues, we are disappointed that Baltimore is working towards effectively banning e-cigarette use in tens of thousands of workplaces in the city. Usage bans that impact vaping products are supported by hype and conjecture, not sound scientific evidence.
“In recent years, Baltimore has had little luck in convincing adult smokers to quit. According to the Baltimore City Health Department, between 2010 and 2013 the city’s adult smoking rate declined just one percentage point, from 26% to only 25%. Going forward, Baltimore health authorities would be wise to embrace vaping as a viable alternative for adult smokers rather than make it more difficult for smokers to switch.
You can learn more about AVA and vaping by visiting the AVA website.
About the American Vaping Association
The American Vaping Association is a nonprofit organization that advocates for fair and sensible regulation of vapor products, otherwise known as electronic cigarettes, with the goal of maximizing the number of adult smokers who use these products to quit smoking. The AVA was founded by Gregory Conley, a consumer and industry advocate with a long track record of advocating for vapor products dating back to 2010.
We are dedicated to educating the public and government officials about public health benefits offered by vapor products, which are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid nicotine or nicotine-free solution and create an inhalable vapor. The AVA is not a trade group and does not speak for any particular businesses, including our industry sponsors.
You can learn more about AVA and vaping by visiting the AVA website. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
