House approves bill to include e-cigarette in state's indoor smoking ban

Publication Date: 2014-06-05

• Author:James Dawson
• Publication:WDDE 91.1 FM

Despite fierce debate on the House floor and a close vote, state lawmakers passed a bill banning e-cigarettes from indoor public places Thursday.

The vote was 25-to-12 to approve the bill.

Opponents of the measure cited a lack of scientific understanding on the effects of secondhand vapor on bystanders, saying the move is government overreach..

The bill's sponsors and state health officials countered that Delaware shouldn’t wait decades for long-term studies that they think will show similar negative results like second hand smoke from tobacco.

Dr. Karyl Rattay heads the state Public Health Department and says there is early research pointing out possible health risks.

"That's very disturbing to me to think that we would wait for 25, 30 years like with conventional cigarettes. Millions and millions of people died who were exposed to them," said Rattay.

An amendment provides an exemption for stores already selling e-cigs for two years, as some allow customers to sample different flavors..