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Mesa Proposing Ordinance To Prohibit Vaping In Public Areas

Mesa’s City Council proposed a new ordinance to prohibit vaping in public areas. 

Mesa is in the process of adding vaping and e-cigarettes to the same ordinance that governs tobacco cigarettes.

John Giles, who is the mayor of Mesa, said “It’s going to be regulated the same as tobacco smoke, so in public locations, bars and restaurants where you might expose others to second-hand smoke.” 

Mesa schools have already outlawed vaping on campuses. Giles said creating this ordinance would help schools better regulate the issue.

“We have school resource officers on campuses, this will help them in enforcing that ban by giving a city ordinance that they can cite folks if they’re vaping on school campuses," Giles said. 

The City Council will hold a hearing Monday to get input from the public as well as health advocates. If the ordinance is passed, it will go into effect in June, allowing some time for public education. 

The city still intends to keep the minimum age for buying the products at 18 years old.

Nakiesha Johnson was an intern at KJZZ in 2019.