HOPE — The Hope Town Council has banned the use of electronic smoking devices, or e-cigarettes and vape pens, in all public places where conventional smoking is prohibited.
The rules are modeled after a similar ordinance that was approved last month by the Columbus City Council.
While the provisions approved by the Columbus City Council won’t go into effect until Oct. 19, Hope’s ban goes into effect immediately.
Any person who violates the ban could pay a fine of $25 for the first offense, with fines doubling for each subsequent offense to a maximum of $1,000, the town’s amended smoking ordinance states.
Under normal circumstances, such an amendment requires two votes on separate meetings, but the council waived that requirement Thursday.
In addition, the unanimous vote took place during a special meeting held just one week after the council conducted its regular monthly meeting.
A number of council members made it clear they wanted the ban enacted in time for the Heritage Days festival, which began Friday night.
The wording of the ordinance states that smoking — which now includes electronic smoking devices — is “prohibited on any and all real property owned by the town, including but not limited to, the Hope Town Square and any parks owned by the town.”
Hope’s amended ordinance is more restrictive than state law, which allows exemptions for establishments such as fraternal clubs, bars, taverns and retail tobacco stores, town attorney Scott Andrews said.
The only exemption permitted in Hope are businesses located within a private residence where all employees are also residents of the home, Andrews said.
Reasons for the ban stated in the amendment is that use of electronic smoking devices “may increase the social acceptability and appeal of smoking, particularly for youth and young adults.”
Another stated reason is that the use of these devices where conventional smoking is banned is “creating concern and confusion, and threatening to interfere with enforcement of the town’s current smoking ordinance.”
