Youth Commission to vote tonight on banning electronic cigarettes

The Pleasanton Youth Commission will consider a proposal at its meeting tonight to include

electronic cigarettes within the definition of “smoking,” which would have the effect of banning them wherever tobacco smoking is not allowed.

The commission’s action, which would be an advisory measure to be considered by the City Council, follows a survey its members conducted in February in conjunction with the Alameda County

Public Health Department’s “Project Teen Friendly” program.

In their tobacco survey of 35 tobacco retail stores in Pleasanton, Youth Commission members found that 77% sell flavored cigars for less than $2, 62% sell cigars for less than $1, 77% sell smokeless tobacco products, and 60% sell electronic cigarettes.

Based in part upon this data, the Youth Commission will consider encouraging The City Council at its meeting next Tuesday “to include electronic

cigarettes within the definition of smoking set forth in the city’s smoking regulations,” according to Becky Hopkins, the city’s Community Services Manager and staff liaison to the Youth Commission.

Tonight’s meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the City Council chambers in the Pleasanton Civic Center, 200 Old Bernal Ave.