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In a statement issued Monday, Feb. 8, the Department of Health said that use of electronic cigarettes, commonly called “vaping,” is not necessarily a healthy practice.
“It has fewer toxic ingredients than cigarette smoke, but that does not make it safe,” said Dr. Michael Nesheiwat, Putnam’s interim health commissioner. “Some research has shown that nicotine replacement therapy during pregnancy has adverse effects on the developing fetus, but most of the science so far focuses on the thousands of chemicals in cigarettes, not the nicotine present in both traditional and electronic varieties.”
The expansions of the policy, approved by a unanimous Putnam County Legislature vote in May, prohibits use of the electronic cigarettes in restaurants, bars and schools along with other public buildings. The ban includes “all vapor-producing devices.”
“Protecting Putnam County residents is our highest priority. We are taking the lead here to protect our residents and visitors from the harms of tobacco,” said MaryEllen Odell, county executive. “The health department has already begun distributing ‘no-smoking-no-vaping’ signs to area establishments.”
Enforcement of the ban, as it has for the ban of smoking in public places, falls upon business owners, landlords and other establishment managers, according to the health department.
All complaints about policy violations should be directed toward the Putnam County Health Department at 845-808-1390.
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