City Council to Hold Hearing on E-Cigarette Ban

The City Council is scheduled to hold a hearing today on whether to ban electronic cigarettes in public places, such as restaurants or parks, the New York Times reported.

The ban’s supporters argue that e-cigarettes encourage youths to smoke and could potentially lead them to switching to real cigarettes and becoming addicted to nicotine.

The proposal’s critics say that the devices do not harm people, but rather help smokers to quit their habit.

The ban would prevent e-cigarette use in restaurants, parks, offices and other public places.

The city has long prohibited smoking at the workplace and, for the past 11 years, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has extended the ban to parks, restaurants and beaches.

The Council is expected to vote on the proposal on Dec. 19.