Title
Discuss an ordinance prohibiting the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors and prohibiting the possession of electronic cigarettes by minors.
Body
BACKGROUND:
In the past year to eighteen months the metroplex area has seen a proliferation of high tech smoking devices referred to as "electronic cigarettes". These devices are currently unregulated by State or Federal law. A child can legally purchase and smoke these devices.
Much is unknown about the e-cigarette, including the potential health risks. It is unknown the nicotine content of the devices but it is known that nicotine is highly addictive.
These devices began appearing in "smoke shops" but due to the popularity, convenience stores are now selling them. Several cities in our area have passed or are planning to pass similar ordinances prohibiting the sale to minors.
This ordinance will provide a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes and liquid nicotine and like products to persons under the age of 18, a prohibition on self-service merchandising in the retail sale of e-cigarettes, liquid nicotine, and like products in order to minimize their physical accessibility to minors, and the prohibition of the possession of such products by minors.