Michigan state lawmakers are working on a new e-cigarette ban proposal which would limit use in some indoor public areas but not ban the controversial smoking device completely as other municipalities, such as Chicago, have.
A committee bill reflects a compromise between the Senate and House and would ban use in state buildings and public schools. An earlier bill would have banned use in all public places and put e-cigarettes under the Clean Indoor Air Act. House members claim the partial ban proposal is necessary to get some sort of ban on the books.
Lawmakers are reportedly planning to further debate the proposal this week.
The news comes amidst growing reports regarding the safety of e-cigarettes and moves by lawmakers to limit marketing to adults and enact stronger laws regarding sales to minors. In New York one Long Island city is expected to ban sale to minors this week.
"We are proposing amendments to our current code regarding the sale and advertising of tobacco products," Glen Cove Mayor Mayor Reginald Spinello said in an email.
In April the Food and Drug Administration announced new efforts to review further regulation of e-cigarettes in response to consumer concerns the devices are being increasingly marketed toward children.
Earlier this week yet another study surfaced indicating that the vapor devices may not be completely harmless and don't offer a viable way to quit smoking.
A UC San Francisco research team states there is no evidence to support the claims from e-cigarette makers and advocates.
The UCSF scientists reportedly found that e-cigarette emission "are not merely 'harmless water vapor,' as is frequently claimed, and can be a source of indoor air pollution."
The research team reviewed over 80 other studies on the device as part of their effort. The paper is published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.
"E-cigarettes do not burn or smolder the way conventional cigarettes do, so they do not emit side-stream smoke; however, bystanders are exposed to aerosol exhaled by the user," state the authors. Toxins and nicotine have been measured in that aerosol, such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetic acid and other toxins emitted into the air, though at lower levels compared to conventional cigarette emissions.
