Possible vaping ban
A proposal in the Legislature would prohibit the practice in indoor public places.
Vaping would be banned from indoor public places statewide under a proposal circulated at the Capitol Wednesday by a bipartisan group of Wisconsin lawmakers.
The bill would add e-cigarettes and other vaping products to the state’s existing smoking ban. The current law, which bans smoking in enclosed public places, applies to cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products — but not vaping products.
If it becomes law, the statewide ban would be similar to the one Milwaukee enacted last year.
Unlike another proposal circulated earlier this year, this draft would not address marijuana, which remains illegal in Wisconsin.
The lead sponsors are Reps. Jeffrey Mursau, R-Crivitz; Rep. Debra Kolste, DJanesville; Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere; and Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison.
They pointed to concerns over chemicals linked to e-cigarettes in a Wednesday memo seeking co-sponsors.
They also cited last week’s reports that a number of teens from Milwaukee, Waukesha and Winnebago counties have been hospitalized in the last month with severe lung damage doctors suspect is tied to vaping.
Doctors at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin said July 25 that eight teens had been hospitalized there with symptoms such as coughing, severe shortness of breath, fatigue, and weight loss from vomiting and diarrhea.
The following day, state health officials said they had received six more reports of teens and young adults with lung damage that doctors suspect may be tied to vaping.
Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said they are still trying to nail down specifically what caused the lung injuries.
“It is not as simple as it would seem,” said Elizabeth Goodsitt, a spokeswoman for the department. “Affected
people may report using multiple substances over many weeks or months before symptoms develop, and these substances may go by a variety of names or have different packaging.”
Lawmakers noted in an email seeking co-sponsors that vaping is increasingly popular among middle and high school students.
About a dozen states and the District of Columbia have added e-cigarettes to their existing “smoke-free” laws, they said.
“Prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes in workplaces and communal venues will increase public health and ensure that vulnerable populations are not subject to harmful or unwanted pollutants,” the bill sponsors wrote.
Bill sponsors said the proposal has the support of the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network, the Wisconsin chapter of the American Lung Association, and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
The proposal is expected to be introduced before the end of the month.