California bill would ban e-cigarettes in public places

California Senator Mark Leno has introduced a bill that would ban the use of e-cigarettes in public places.

“Whether you get people hooked on e-cigarettes or regular cigarettes, it’s nicotine addiction, and it kills,” said Leno, “We’re going to see hundreds of thousands of family members and friends die from e-cigarette use just like we did from traditional tobacco use.”

The bill would add e-cigarettes to the list of tobacco products regulated in the state, which already forbids smoking in workplaces, restaurants, bars and other places. It would also increase penalties for selling e-cigarettes to minors.

California would be the fourth U.S. state to treat e-cigarettes like regular cigarettes, and the 23rd to regulate e-cigarettes in some way.