This city in California is apparently considering a ban on the sale of all tobacco and vaping products.
LAGUNA BEACH — According to local news media reports, the city council for Laguna Beach (a small coastal city in Orange County) is considering a proposal to ban tobacco products in the city.
A city council staff report viewed by Vaping Post indicates that the elected governing body will decide to ban such sales and consider an assignment of staff to study the potential impact of such a plan and what this would mean for city revenue.
The nonprofit news outfit Voice of OC reports that the council voted to prohibit the use of smoking products (tobacco, nicotine, and marijuana) in public. The ordinance expanded smoking regulations to include all public places, including the outdoors.
The staff report suggests that councilmember George Weiss has requested a discussion on ending all retail sales of tobacco and vaping products within the city limits of Laguna Beach.
The document states that “the policy consideration of the request, a majority of the City Council must first vote to direct staff to research and analyze the issue, and draft a proposed ordinance for the city council to review and take action at a future meeting.”
Weiss told Voice of OC reporters that his move to adopt such an initiative comes from his personal beliefs and his campaigning.
Reportedly, he asked why people supported “something that kills people,” alluding to electronic cigarettes. Weiss also emphasized in the interview that the advantages of a potential ban could boost health and safety for individuals and the whole community.
Weiss, however, cited no further information to support the claims. This includes a lack of evidence consideration from entities like Public Health England in the United Kingdom, which says that vaping is 95 percent safer than smoking.
Legislative action is expected in the coming weeks.
