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.
In addition, the 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 one day after the amendment and ban were approved on Thursday.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
