Through a reconsideration by Kenai City Council, e-cigarettes will now be regulated like cigarettes in Kenai buildings and businesses.
Kenai Mayor Pat Porter said they have no problem with those who want to smoke e-cigs or even tobacco cigarettes, the coucil just wanted to take a proactive step.
Porter: “Well all that really does for the City of Kenai which is in the locations that we currently have which are non-smoking, they will remain non-smoking and e-cigarettes will just not be allowed in those facilities either.”
She added that at the August 6 meeting where the measure was originally defeated and requested for reconsideration they did not have a full council, whereas last night all but one were present, with that one appearing telephonically.
Vice Mayor Ryan Marquis was the only no vote on the ordinance.
Marquis: “Businesses should be able to decide what they allow on their premises and it should be up to the customers to decide if they want to support those businesses with their money. I don’t think that the government needs to tell them what their rules should be, I think the free market should take care of that. Once the government starts to get involved it’s easy for the government to keep growing their involvement, before you know it you have less freedom and opportunity.”
They also made an amendment to exclude language about marijuana from the ordinance, and added language stating that birthday candles may still be lit in places such as restaurants.