Using electronic smoking devices in places where smoking is banned could soon be prohibited in Columbus.
The Columbus City Council voted Tuesday to add the devices to its local smoking ordinance.
City council member Elaine Wagner cited the increase in smoking amongst minors for shaping her vote.
“I’m just hoping that people start to equate them to the same thing as cigarettes," says Wagner. "They cause the same harm, they have similar products in them and I think kids are seeing it as… its big tobacco’s way of saying oh look smoking is cool again.”
Wagner says business and restaurant owners have been confused about confronting patrons using e-cigs in non-smoking sections in the past and the ordinance change should help remove that confusion.
The Monroe County Council voted against adding electronic vaping products to its smoking ordinance in 2017.
The council will take a final vote on the amendment again in two weeks.