El Paso extends public ban on cigarettes to e-cigs

EL PASO, TX -- El Paso is extending its ban on cigarette smoking in public places to electronic cigarettes.

The City Council voted Tuesday to extend the ban, effective Sept. 1. The El Paso Times (http://bit.ly/1ndhrFM) reports the ban will bar smoking and vaping in 2015 from all city-owned properties, including parks. The ban also would keep smoke-free areas within 20 feet of all public entrances, except for El Paso International Airport.

Violators are fined $100 for the first offense, $200 for a second offense and up to $500 for other repeat offenses.

A group of vapers - those who use e-cigarettes - presented a petition of what they said was 1,500 signatures opposing the expansion of the smoking ban.