On Monday, Dec. 9 the Chicago City Council's joint committee Finance; Health and Environmental Protection held a hearing about the proposed ecig ordinance which would subject ecigs to the Clean Indoor Air Act.
There were about 15 vapers and vape shop owners there to show their opposition to the ordinance, and were prepared to testify. The meeting began at 12 noon with a description of the ordinance. Alderman Brendan Reilly is a smoker who recently bought ecigs to make the switch from tobacco cigarettes. He demonstrated how they work for Council members who aren't familiar with ecigs.
From their statements and arguments, it was very clear that several Aldermen do not know the facts about ecigs. The alderman that wrote the ordinance believes Chicago should differentiate between ecigarettes with nicotine and those without. One Alderman asked him how that could be enforced when the two look identical. He didn't have an answer for that.
Those in support of the ordinance had these concerns:
- "Fun" flavors. This was brought up several times. They think that flavors like cherry, chocolate and gummy bears are meant to attract children.
- The FDA hasn't approved ecigs. Supporters are concerned that since the FDA doesn't have ecigs completely figured out, we should be cautious in allowing people to use ecigs in places that smoking is banned.
- Second-hand vapor. The Commissioner said that whatever chemicals the vaper is inhaling, he is also exposing to everyone around him.
- They seem to think that nicotine is the harmful part of cigarettes. They don't realize that nicotine has been shown about as harmful as caffeine in a cup of coffee.