Vaping subcommittee to discuss public comments in Everett

The Snohomish County Board of Health's Vaping Subcommittee on Wednesday, Aug. 19, will discuss the results of a month-long public comment period that sought guidance on how to regulate e-cigarettes and vaping countywide.

The board formed the subcommittee in June, and its members first met July 1 to discuss the issue of vaping and what enforcement policies currently exist across the country.

A public comment period was held July 6-31 to gather feedback to questions about expanding the Smoking in Public Places law to prohibit vaping, how an ordinance could most effectively prevent youth from smoking/vaping and what other regulations might be necessary.

There were 800 responses during the public comment period, which the vaping subcommittee will use as it discusses what policy options should be recommended to the health board, said Heather Thomas, Snohomish Health District communications and public affairs officer.

"Youth use is one of the most important issues for us; trying to avoid the next generation of adults who have addiction issues,GÇ¥ Thomas said.

Many commenters favored prohibiting vaping in public places while many others did not, stating they do not believe it is harmful to people around it. That segment still supported regulations to make it more difficult for youth to acquire e-cigarettes, such as prohibiting minors from entering vape stores and mandatory ID checks to raising the age limit to 19 or 21.

The health district reports many respondents feel more education about vaping is needed, a number of them not familiar with what vapor products are, how they're used and what is contained within the vapor produced.

The subcommittee will meet 2-4 p.m. Wednesday at the district office at 3020 Rucker Ave., in Everett. The meeting is open to the public, but no further comments will be accepted.

A full recommendation to the health board is slated for Sept. 8.

To see all comments to the vaping subcommittee, visit www.snohd.org/Healthy-Living/Smoke-Free-Living/Vaping-Vapor-Products.