Law bans vaporizers, e-cigarettes in public buildings

Publication Date: 2015-12-08

• Author:George Plaven
• Publication:East Oregonian

Beginning Jan. 1, Oregonians will no longer be allowed to use vaporizers or electronic cigarettes inside public buildings, including bars and restaurants.

State lawmakers passed a bill in May expanding the Oregon Indoor Clean Air Act, which initially only applied to tobacco products. The new regulations add marijuana to the list, while also prohibiting the sale of vaporizers and e-cigarettes to minors.

Businesses will be required to place "No smoking or vaping" signs at all entrances and exits, and could face fines up to $500 per day for violations of the law. The Oregon Health Authority is responsible for enforcing the law and investigating complaints...

Steward said the effort was met with little resistance in Salem. The bill passed 22-8 in the Senate, and 55-2 in the House. All local Republican legislators -- Sen. Bill Hansell and Reps. Greg Smith and Greg Barreto -- voted in favor of the change.

Meghan DeBolt, director of the Umatilla County Health Department, said the law is a huge milestone for public health, because e-cigarette use is on the rise statewide...