Allegheny County Council Protect Children's Health

Dear Councilman Palmiere,

We are writing to express our support of the proposed regulation to prevent use of e-cigarettes or vaporizers in the locations where combustible cigarette use is already prohibited. While the Federal Drug Administration has the ability to regulate tobacco, including requiring manufacturers to list ingredients and health impacts, it cannot restrict tobacco use in public places. Pennsylvania's Clean Indoor Air Act does not include e-cigarettes in its definition of products prohibited for use indoors. It is up to local government to protect the residents of Allegheny County from unwanted exposures to e-cigarettes and protect those who are most at risk - children and citizens suffering from respiratory disease.

We believe that people have the right to be protected from second-hand emissions from all types of tobacco use. The public has a right NOT to be exposed to the potential harm of e-cigarette emissions in confined spaces. We ask for your support of this regulation.