A hot topic that has been making its rounds lately is the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) in local municipalities. Debate and opinions abound. As you may know, the FDA hasn’t released its findings on the health risks to the users of e-cigs or the people who are exposed to the vapor in general. I did find a few resources on the Knowledge Network, but we still need your help to develop the leading practices for local government professionals regarding the regulation of the use of e-cigs. Here is what I found:

• Carlsbad, California, has released its ordinance on the prohibition of electronic cigarettes wherever smoking is prohibited. This document provides the legal language as well as detailed explanations of what is in e-cigs and the reasoning for their prohibition.
• This blog has compiled a list of resources about the effects of tobacco use in municipalities. The resources cited provide a comprehensive view of the use of tobacco and what local governments are doing to promote a healthier community.
• I’ve seen several instances where local governments have modeled their policies on the use of e-cigs in their communities on the ordinances used to ban the use of tobacco. This document is an ordinance prohibiting smoking in public places and places of work in Bloomington, Minnesota.

The verdict is still out. If you have thoughts, ideas, or policies that you believe should be considered by local governments to help improve the health and wellness of their communities, please share them with us in the comments below, by posting your own blog on the Knowledge Network, or by contacting us directly. You can also engage with the Knowledge Network users by asking and answering questions at the links provided.

Cheers,

Jesse Himes
Knowledge Network Intern
jhimes@icma.org