The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) is looking to add vaping to its smoking policy. The NPS currently forbids smoking in most public enclosed facilities, such as restaurants and visitor centers. The proposed revision to the services smoking policy is open for public comment until March 7, according to post on the NPS website.
The NPS “proposes to revise the regulation that defines smoking to include the use of electronic cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems. The National Park Service also proposes to allow a superintendent to close an area, building, structure, or facility to smoking when necessary to maintain public health and safety,” the post states.
These rules would make permanent earlier orders that banned e-cigs anywhere tobacco had already been restricted, which all indoors facilities and an increasing number of places outdoors, with some exceptions. “Some people have said ‘You’re going to ban smoking,’” said Jeffrey Olson, spokesperson with the National Park Service. “We’re not — smoking is not banned in national parks.”