Smoking electronic cigarettes banned in public places

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The Los Angeles City Council voted 14-0 to ban the use of electronic cigarettes in bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and other public areas.

Electronic cigarettes are battery powered devices that simulate tobacco smoking by vaporizing a liquid solution. The solutions may be a mixture of nicotine and flavors. Some contain no nicotine.

Studies on the effects of second-hand aerosol consumption from electronic cigarettes are inconclusive.

Those in favor of the ban said it was better to take precaution than risk public safety, while those against the ban said that with no evidence to prove that electronic cigarettes are a danger to the public, and the city council is impeding on their right to choose.

The council sided with those in favor of the ban, although vaping lounges and stores will be exempt, in a situation similar to exceptions made for cigar and hookah lounges under tobacco smoking regulations.