Proposed state legislation to prohibit e-cigs released by Health Ministry
The use of e-cigs would be prohibited in public locations, just like tobacco products themselves, if the bill passes.
By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICHNo-Smoking Sign(photo credit: INGIMAGE / ASAP)
A government bill aimed at prohibiting the production, import, marketing and advertising of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) and its equipment was made public on Sunday by the Health Ministry.After studying the issue in depth in recent months, the ministry decided that e-cigs are “dangerous products” rather than beneficial for getting smokers to kick the habit.The bill is part of its effort to struggle against smoking and to prevent smoking in public places, the ministry said. The use of e-cigs will be prohibited in non-private locations, just like tobacco products themselves, if the bill passes.Not only do e-cigs contain chemicals that endanger public health when they are smoked, but an electronic cigarette filled with liquid killed an Israeli child over a year ago.Last March, the ministry made public a draft of regulations it wanted against e-cigs and invited public comments. After addition consideration and the realization of the importance of the bill, it decided to prohibit all e-cigs and the paraphernalia involved in using them. The Justice Ministry, the deputy attorney general and professional health experts were consulted in the preparation of the bill.The detailed, 11-page bill will be publicized in Hebrew on the state website where government bills are published.
