E-Cigarette Smoking Ban Decision Delayed

The Hutchinson City Council has delayed a decision on whether to ban electronic cigarettes in some areas of the city.

The council heard from opponents and supporters of the proposal Tuesday before deciding to take more time to consider the issues.

Supporters want the city to treat e-cigarettes like traditional cigarettes under the Kansas Indoor Clean Air Act, which prohibits smoking in most indoor public places.

Supporters of the ban argue that no one knows what chemicals are contained in e-cigarette vapor, which could endanger public health.

Supporters said individual businesses should be able to decide if they will allow e-cigarettes. They also argued electronic cigarettes help traditional smokers who are trying to quit and that no one has proven the e-cigarettes are unhealthy.

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Associated Press information from: The Hutchinson News