July 15, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

E-Cigarette Regulation Puffs Ahead:

In an opening salvo, the Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved on Tuesday the drafting of an ordinance to regulate the use of vaporizers – colloquially referred to as electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes – the same way as traditional cigarettes.

With the council direction, City staff will put together an ordinance that would prohibit the use of e-cigarettes wherever traditional cigarettes are also banned. E-cigarettes use would still be permitted in certain designated locations.

Vapor shops would be exempt from the proposed law.

Practically speaking, e-cigarettes would be prohibited in many public places, such as bars, local beaches, nightclubs, restaurants, and anywhere else traditional cigarettes are not allowed.

Introduced by China in 2003 and brought to the United States market about five years later, e-cigarette use has, according to City staff, “grown exponentially.”

“The most common users are those who also smoke cigarettes,” City staff stated. “Between 2011 and 2012 their use among American youth more than doubled according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

At the heart of the issue: whether vaping – the act of using an e-cigarette – is as harmful to the user and the public at-large as cigarettes.

Several speakers during public testimony spoke to the benefits of e-cigarettes and vaporizers, stating the devices are not as easily accessible to those under the age of 18 and the practice of vaping has helped many quit smoking.

On the other side, those who supported an ordinance governing the use of e-cigarette devices said vaping is merely being regulated, not banned, in Santa Monica – a sentiment confirmed by Council member Ted Winterer.

Jeff Freeman, a lifelong Santa Monica resident and owner of FIX Vapor on Main Street, said e-cigarettes saved his life.

“I tried everything. These products work,” Freeman said, adding he smoked two packs a day and unsuccessfully tried several alternatives to quit smoking before discovering vaping.

Representing the Smoke Free Air For Everyone, Esther Schiller said e-cigarettes are an extension of the tobacco industry and the vaporizers are advertised in the same exact way traditional cigarettes were markets from the 1940s to the 1960s.

“Unfortunately, I’m old enough to remember all of that,” Schiller told the council. “We’re told they are safe and that the most beautiful people are using them. “The advertising and the special flavors are, unfortunately, especially attractive to youth.”

Schiller added the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cited reports claiming e-cigarettes posed risks to users and to non-users who “passively inhale these chemical vapors.”

Phil Daman, president of the Smoke Free Alternatives Trade Assoc. (SFATA), told The Mirror after the meeting he thought the council’s decision was thoughtful but also said the City Attorney report recommending a the regulation of vaporizers was one-sided against e-cigarettes.

Daman said while he understands the concerns of second-hand vapor, he has not found any studies published to corroborate such a claim.

He also said vaporizers or e-cigarettes “doesn’t promote smoking” and poses no risks to bystanders.

“It’s not tobacco, As a matter of fact, it prevents deaths in the millions because it provides an alternative,” Daman said, adding there is a significant difference between smoking and vaping.

“These are technology products, not tobacco products, and certainly not cigarettes. These things cannot be further from a combustible cigarette in form or in harm. The end result on the user can be similar,” Daman said, adding many people view the vaporizers or e-cigarettes as part of the problem when, he believes, they are part of the solution to “one of the world’s greatest societal harms.”

Council member Bob Holbrook said he did not believe there were any inaccuracies in the City staff report, adding it referred to a meta-analysis by the University of California, San Francisco that “tried to find every bit of scientific literature it could … to try to draw some conclusions.”

Holbrook also questioned why the vaporizers would come in children-friendly vapor flavors if the device manufacturers were truly catering to adults instead of the youth.

“Why are there little kid flavors,” Holbrook pondered, adding there is scientific literature to suggest younger users of vaporizers or e-cigarette devices actually makes it more likely, not less likely, that person would end developing a habit of smoking traditional cigarettes. “I haven’t been into bubble gum since I was 12 years old. I don’t understand why you would make [flavors] like that if they weren’t for kids.”

The discussion of regulating vaporizers and e-cigarette devices did not end on Tuesday night, as City staff will return to the council later this year with a proposed ordinance.

in News
<>Related Posts

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...

Santa Monica Man Arrested for Allegedly Exporting Electronics to Iran

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Ostovari, identified as the CEO of a Tehran-based engineering firm, allegedly orchestrated the scheme since 2018  A 66-year-old Santa Monica...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Film Review: Jurassic World: Rebirth

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“The story is simplistic and predictive, and that’s all it needs to be, because the age-old battle to survive the...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

SM.a.r.t.Column: Does the Rand Corporation have a future in Santa Monica?

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“Although no one said it outright, it is clear to all that RAND is feeling—and will continue to feel—the impact...

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Conservancy to Tour Historic Miles Playhouse at State of the City Event

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Built in 1929, the Miles Playhouse serves as the centerpiece of Lincoln Park The Santa Monica Conservancy will offer 15-minute...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...