19 - Prohibit the Use of Electronic Cigarettes in Public Places and provide for a variance for semi-enclosed areas of places of employment

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ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS AMENDING CHAPTER 7, ARTICLE 7.03, "SMOKING," TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES IN PUBLIC PLACES AND TO PROVIDE FOR A VARIANCE PROCEDURE FOR SEMI -ENCLOSED AREAS OF PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS RELATED TO THE SAME; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A PENALTY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, on March 24, 2014, the City Council of the City of Paris, Texas approved Ordinance 2014-003 amending the Code of Ordinances to prohibit smoking in public places; and WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), most e -cigarettes contain nicotine, a known neurotoxin considered one of the most highly addictive substances available for public consumption, which can harm the developing adolescent brain (which keeps developing until about the age of 25), including long-lasting changes in brain regions involved in addiction, attention, learning, and memory; and WHEREAS, while users inhale e -cigarette aerosol into their lungs, bystanders can also breathe in this aerosol when the user exhales it into the air; and WHEREAS, the FDA has also raised concerns about the epidemic levels of youth use of e -cigarettes, which may lead to the use of conventional tobacco products like combustible cigarettes and has issued a policy prioritizing enforcement against certain unauthorized flavored e -cigarette products that appeal to children and youth; and WHEREAS, there have been numerous scientific studies regarding the detrimental effects of e -cigarettes to public health; and WHEREAS, the City Council believes that it is in the best interest of the citizens of the City to prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes in public places; and WHEREAS, the businesses have requested that the city allow smoking in areas of places of employment such as welding bays and other spaces that are only partially enclosed; and WHEREAS, City Council finds that a balance between the interests of public health and businesses with such semi -enclosed areas can be best achieved through a variance procedure for Sec. 7.03.004, "Prohibition in enclosed places of employment:" NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS: Page 1 of 6