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Mohave County Bans E-Cigarettes In Public Buildings

Tempe did it. The town of Gilbert was considering it. Now, in northwestern Arizona, Mohave County has done it. The Board of Supervisors there voted to ban the use of e-cigarettes in public buildings. But not everyone thinks it’s a good idea.

It started after a Mohave County employee asked a member of the public to put out their e-cigarette. That person refused and instead blew vapor in the woman’s face.

Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson decided it was time to clarify exactly what “Smoke Free” meant. On Monday, “Smoke Free” in Mohave County was redefined.   

“We basically banned vapors," Johnson said. "Anything that appears to be smoking that you’re doing, that’s banned now.”

E-cigarettes are advertised as a safe alternative to cigarette smoke. And that was the point for County Supervisor Steven Moss who voted against the measure.

“It banned smoking and tobacco products," Moss said. "The e-cigarette, which is now defined as being a cigarette, pipe, etc., is not smoking. It is water vapor. And it’s not tobacco, it’s nicotine.”

Moss also said there is a lack of studies showing that e-cigarettes are harmful.

Johnson said new signage will be posted and employees will receive training on what is and isn’t allowed, as well as what to do if someone violates the policy.

KJZZ senior field correspondent Kathy Ritchie has 20 years of experience reporting and writing stories for national and local media outlets — nearly a decade of it has been spent in public media.