As of next week, the only public places where these products can be used are vape shops and non-tobacco-based hookah lounges, but even here the devices must not contain tobacco tobacco or nicotine, and anyone caught breaking the rules will be facing fines ranging from $50 to $500.
Precarious smoking situation in the state
An article published earlier this year on the Medical Press, said that data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 2009 and 2013, found that Kentucky has more smoking related cancer cases than any other state.
To make matters worse, renowned anti-smoking activist Professor Michael Siegel had pointed out that a local health organization ‘The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky’, had released a statement saying, “Research suggests that e-cigs may be a gateway to using other forms of tobacco, and they can be just as harmful.” When of course there are a number of studies that prove not only that vaping is significantly safer than smoking, (95% to be exact), but also that the gateway theory is utter nonsense.
Regulations should be relative to risk
Many public health experts would agree that condemning the use of e-cigarettes, when they are known to be safer alternatives and effective smoking cessation tools, and regulating them as their deadly counterparts in a state where smoking is such a significant problem, will be detrimental to public health. This motion is sending the wrong message about the products, and will prevent many from switching to the products that could save their lives.
More info : Chron
