E-Cig Use To Be Banned Everywhere in California

Turn back! Run away!

If you thought California couldn't get any more absurd, you perhaps haven't seen Senate Bill SB 648 yet.

Written by politicians so stupid there should be a law to prevent them reproducing, it proposes that e-cigs should face the same restrictions as the already hysterical ones pertaining to tobacco. Here is the base clause.

The Legislature finds and declares that the use of electronic cigarettes [...] is a hazard to the health of the general public. Any reference in this chapter to, or any prohibition of, the smoking of tobacco shall also be construed to refer to the use of electronic cigarettes.

Yes. They really are saying that e-cig vapour is - according to them - a proven danger to others. Passive vaping, in other words. There is not a jot of scientific evidence behind this, of course - nor will there ever be - but California has declared it anyway.

With that underpinning the whole sorry document, it then goes on to detail where use of e-cigs will be prohibited by law. And it's just about everywhere.

The Legislature finds and declares that regulation of smoking in the workplace is a matter of statewide interest and concern. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to prohibit the smoking of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes [...] in all enclosed places of employment in this state, as covered by this section, thereby eliminating the need of local governments to enact workplace smoking restrictions within their respective jurisdictions.

That's a comprehensive indoor smoking ban, to you and me, but for e-cigs.

Every railroad corporation, passenger stage corporation, passenger air carrier, and street railroad corporation providing departures originating in this state shall prohibit the smoking of any tobacco product, including an electronic cigarette, in the passenger seating area of every passenger car, passenger stage, aircraft, or other vehicle.

And that's an order, transport providers, whether you already have a policy, or are comfortable with e-cigs or not. Complete with a fine of up to $500.

The bill even goes so far as to encourage property owners to enforce e-cig bans on their rental tenants, including in outdoor areas.

A landlord of a residential dwelling unit, or his or her agent, may prohibit the smoking of a cigarette, an electronic cigarette, or other tobacco product on the property or in any building or portion of the building, including any dwelling unit, other interior or exterior area, or the premises on which it is located, in accordance with this article.

All this goes up for a vote on April 17th.

By now, I'm sure you know what I'm going to say next. Yep, it's not about health. Never has been.

UPDATE: If you are in the US, you can object to the proposals by using resources provided by CASAA at this link.