E-cigarettes or electronic cigarettes, the cigarette-shaped devices which contain a nicotine liquid that is vaporized and inhaled has greatly increased in popularity. E-cigs have been touted as being smoking cessation devices and a better option to smoking a pack of cigarettes.
Up until now, there has not been much in the way of regulating these devices and people are often seen smoking them freely in restaurants, shopping malls, the movies and other public places. Now, e-cigarettes have come under glaring scrutiny, leaving many city officials, business owners and association board members to decide whether or not they should ban e-cig usage. Many who already have smoking bans in place are taking a conservative approach and including the e-cigarettes in their bans. Recently, city officials in Delray Beach voted unanimously to continue on with a proposal to limit the use of e-cigarettes. The proposal will ban e-cigarettes from the same places where cigarette smoking is currently banned, including inside restaurants on Atlantic Avenue.
The issue for board members in HOAs and condo associations is whether or not to regulate e-cig usage in their common areas.
Bans on cigarette smoking in common areas of HOAs and condos have become more and more prevalent. As more community associations are addressing the issue of cigarette smoke, they are also deciding whether e-cigarettes should be banned as well. Some communities are waiting for more information on e-cigarettes, while others are treating e-cigarettes the same as regular cigarettes.
Has your HOA or condo association banned e-cigarettes in your common areas? Tell us about it in the comment section below.
