Kokua Line: Anti-smoking law applies to vaping near bus stops

Question: When it says “no smoking” at the bus stop, does that mean no vaping, too? I told this guy at the Ala Moana bus stop to stop smoking, but he said he can do what he wants with an e-cig. We have to sit in his cloud of whatever that stuff is.

Answer: Yes, the no-smoking rule at Oahu’s bus stops applies to electronic smoking devices. The law applies within 20 feet of the bus stop.

In recent years both state and city law have adapted to include electronic smoking devices in anti-smoking statutes, thereby also outlawing vaping, Juuling and use of other ESDs wherever smoking is prohibited. You can see the evolution at 808ne.ws/dohtob, on the state Department of Health’s website.

As for the cloud the scofflaw exhales, the American Cancer Society says the aerosol contains nicotine, propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin (used to produce theatrical fog) and a variety of chemicals, potentially including harmful ones such as diacetyl and formaldehyde.

“Although e-cigarettes do not give off smoke like tobacco cigarettes, they do expose people to secondhand vapor that may contain harmful substances. Scientists are still learning about being exposed to secondhand e-cigarette vapor. So far, research shows that secondhand vapor exposure is likely to be less harmful than secondhand cigarette smoke,” according to its website.

E-cigarettes heat a liquid to convert it into an aerosol or vapor, which the user inhales. When the user exhales, the cloud may be voluminous, depending on the user and the type of electronic smoking device.

Other readers have submitted similar complaints, with one likening vapor exposure to “being bathed in someone’s visible cough. Not pleasant.”

Q: Back in July we paid the first half of our property tax. Here it is mid-January, and we have not yet received the bill for the second half. Whom do we contact to find out if/when such statement will be received?

A: Oahu property tax bills are mailed twice a year, on July 20 and Jan. 20, according to the city’s Department of Budget and Fiscal Serv­ices. So the January bill hasn’t gone out yet.

Payments are due a month after the mailing date. The due date for the first installment (which you’ve already paid) was Aug. 20, and the second installment will be due Feb. 20.

You can read more about payment methods on the department’s website, 808ne.ws/taxbill.

Auwe

To drivers who don’t look at freeway signs and see when the far right lane is exit only. I have had near misses with drivers in that lane. I am next to them exiting at the Ewa offramp westbound. I am getting off, and they realize they want to go straight. We nearly collide as they cut me off as I am exiting. I blast my horn at them because this is dangerous. We are decelerating from freeway speed, and the collision could be fatal. This also goes for the Punahou offramp eastbound. And the Kapiolani Boulevard exit westbound. Both far right lanes are exit only. Know which lanes are leaving the freeway. Pay attention! — Frustrated driver

Mahalo

On Jan. 8 at at about |10:30 a.m., my husband and I were having breakfast at the Wahiawa McDonald’s when we witnessed a mishap. An older man fell outside as he was walking his dog. Two caring persons in separate cars exiting the drive-thru window saw the man collapse. They immediately stopped to assist. One of the good Samaritans was an Army captain. We noticed the kind response and offer our great applause. — Senior citizens

Mahalo

We were in the Aloha Stadium parking lot waiting to enter the stadium for the Eagles concert. That’s when we discovered our car battery had died. We would like to thank the gentleman who helped us charge our battery. Mahalo! — P.I.

Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.