NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Big Isle extends smoking ban to e-cigarettes

KAILUA-KONA » Hawaii County became the first county in the state to restrict electronic cigarettes to the same level as traditional cigarettes.

Mayor Billy Kenoi signed a bill that bans e-cigarettes at beaches, county parks, public buildings and anywhere else that traditional smoking is banned, West Hawaii Today reported Wednesday. The bill had squeezed through the County Council on a 5-4 vote.

"This is for a healthier, safer Hawaii island," Kenoi said.

Opponents argue there’s no evidence that electronic cigarettes are harmful. They point to the increasing number of people using the devices as a way to wean themselves off traditional cigarettes and quitting nicotine altogether. They argue that if e-cigarettes are so harmful in open-air environments such as beaches and parks, why not also ban charcoal grills, aerosol insect sprays and sunscreens?

Supporters say allowing people to "vape" or smoke e-cigarettes sends the wrong message to youth.

A recent state Department of Health survey found the number of high school students who have used e-cigarettes at least once more than tripled from 5.1 percent in 2011 to 17.6 percent in 2013. E-cigarette use among middle school students quadrupled from 1.8 percent to 7.9 percent during the same period.

State Sen. Josh Green (D, Naalehu-Kailua-Kona), chairman of the Senate Health Committee, said it’s likely the Legislature will be working on statewide controls when the legislative session starts Wednesday. Among them is a measure he says will bring parity between e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, he said.