Mesa City Council has approved an ordinance that updates the City Code to add vaping and the use of vaping devices to existing citywide no-smoking regulations. The ordinance prohibits vaping in the same manner and places where smoking tobacco is prohibited, which includes City facilities and in certain public places and places of employment.
"There has been extensive research regarding the negative health effects of vaping and inhaling second-hand vapors that led the Mesa City Council to support changing our smoking ordinance to include vaping," Mayor John Giles said. "I'm proud that Mesa is joining the growing number of cities nationwide taking action to protect the public."
With more reports nationally of deaths and lung-related injuries likely linked to vaping, residents have been contacting the Mayor and City Council expressing concerns about vaping, the unknown long-term health impacts, second-hand exposure in public places and possible health effects for youth.
The new rules do not impact an adult's individual choice to use or buy vaping devices and materials, nor do the new rules impact existing vaping shops that have separate ventilation. One exception is for smoking or vaping lounges/bars that allow ongoing, more intensive vaping and may require additional air circulation.
The new vaping rules will take effect June 9, 2020. During the next six months, the City will work with the Mesa Chamber of Commerce and the Police Department and other stakeholders to provide a community information campaign to inform residents and visitors of the pending change.
Other Arizona cities, including Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Goodyear, Tucson and Flagstaff, have been implementing vaping regulations.
More information is available at https://library.municode.com/az/mesa/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=1002306
Public Information and Communications
Contact: Steve Wright
Tel. 480-644-2069
steven.wright@mesaaz.gov