Mesa council adds vaping to citywide no-smoking regulations

The Mesa City Council has approved an ordinance that updates the city code to add vaping and the use of vaping devices to existing citywide no-smoking regulations.

The ordinance prohibits vaping in the same manner and places where smoking tobacco is prohibited, which includes city facilities and in certain public places and places of employment.

With more reports nationally of deaths and lung-related injuries likely linked to vaping, Mesa residents have been contacting the Mayor John Giles and City Council expressing concerns about vaping, the unknown long-term health impacts, second-hand exposure in public places and possible health effects for youth.

The new vaping rules will take effect June 9.

Other Arizona cities including Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Goodyear, Tucson and Flagstaff have been implementing vaping regulations.