The issue of smoking has always been the focus of extensive debates, especially with regard to the kind of harm that it causes to the smoker and to people exposed to secondhand smoke. Although e-cigarettes, which are vapor based and laced with varying percentages of nicotine, have served as replacements for cigarettes, various reports have uncovered that they may include harmful and sometimes cancer-inducing chemicals, and that their use should be regulated and restricted accordingly.
The National Park Service Bans E-Cigarettes
In accordance with these reports, The National Park Service announced that electronic cigarettes are now banned in any areas where traditional smoking is prohibited in the United States.
The measure, according to the US News & World Report, was implemented to safeguard people’s health. Even though vapor from e-cigarettes do not easily pose a fire hazard (although its batteries do), it is uncertain whether or not secondhand vapor is harmful. Jonathan Jarvis, National Park Service Director, states that protecting the health and safety of park visitors and employees is one of the most critical duties of the Service, and thus the extension of the restrictions are needed.
The Reaction
Since there is little data on the long-term effects of vaping, health experts have begun to draw opposing policies in regard to public e-cigarette use. Supporters of e-cigarettes are naturally opposed to the new development. The restriction, for instance, was regarded as a bad idea by Gregory Conley, president of the American Vaping Association trade group, despite the findings that e-cigarettes emit formaldehyde and toxic compounds also found in antifreeze. These advocates maintain that the decision to use the devices should be left up to the users.
More Cities to Implement the Rule
The NPS now joins an extending list of cities, which are banning the use of e-cigarettes in densely populated areas and in areas where conventional smoking is also prohibited, such as in New York City.
