By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch E-cigarettes in Pierce County may be put under the same restrictions as tobacco products because of what health authorities describe as similar health risks. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department announced Sept. 18 that it wants to ban e-cigarette smoking GÇô also known as vaping GÇô in public places and workplaces, prohibit anyone under 18 years old from possessing e-cigarettes, and require retailers to have a permit in order to sell the products. The ban could take effect this year. Currently, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) aren't regulated the same way as cigarettes are, and health officials say too much is unknown about potential harm from vaping. The concern comes at a time when minors reportedly are vaping in record numbers. One in every five high school sophomores in Pierce County use the e-cigarette products, a percentage that's double the number who smoke cigarettes, according to the 2014 Healthy Youth Survey. Considered by some as a way for tobacco smokers to kick the habit, e-cigarettes are seen by others as an introduction to tobacco. "E-cigarettes deliver nicotine and other harmful substances. Nicotine is both addictive and toxic'that is not debatable,GÇ¥ said Dr. Anthony L-T Chen, the Health Department's director. "Despite claims of (being) safer, we may not know for several decades the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes.GÇ¥ E-cigarettes are battery-operated inhalers that consist of a rechargeable battery, a cartridge called a cartomizer, and an LED that lights up at the end when a smoker puffs on the device. Vaping is the term for inhaling water vapor that's created by a battery heating liquid. There are no federal regulations on the devices, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed requiring most e-cigarettes to undergo an agency review. The American Heart and Lung Association has stated that e-cigarettes can be a last-resort method of quitting traditional cigarettes. But the association and the national Centers for Disease Control also claim e-cigarettes, which contain nicotine but not tobacco, could lead young people to begin using tobacco cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is asking the public to weigh in on the issue. Public comments can be submmtted in writing until Oct. 19 to the department by postal mail at 3629 S. D St., Tacoma, WA 98418 or by e-mail at director@tpchd.org. Among other things, the new county regulations would: " Mirror state law that bans smoking tobacco in public places and selling to minors. Penalties for the latter would be consistent with state law on tobacco sales. " Require an annual application and renewal for a permit for retailers to sell e-cigarettes. Revenue from the annual fee of $330 to $400 would cover the cost of enforcing the vaping rules. " Give an exemption to licensed retail marijuana retailers who also sell e-cigarette devices. Also exempt would be hookah lounges that exclusively use steam stones and are operating legally under an agreement with the Health Department. The health board will consider a resolution on the changes at a meeting later this year. Meetings are scheduled for Nov. 4 and Dec. 2. The appointed board sets policies for the department to carry out. Board members include representatives of the county and city governments and healthcare providers.
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