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El Cajon council introduces ordinance banning vaping devices disguised as everyday items
Summary
The council unanimously voted to introduce an ordinance that would prohibit retail sale of vaping or electronic smoking devices disguised as other products such as hoodies, pens, or USB drives; adoption will occur at a later meeting.
El Cajon City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved introduction of an ordinance that would prohibit the sale of vaping and electronic smoking devices disguised as other products, such as hoodies, pens and USB drives, and subject violators to fines and potential loss of a tobacco retail license.
The ordinance — introduced for first reading — amends chapters of the municipal code regulating tobacco retailers. Staff said retailers selling devices disguised as non‑tobacco products would be subject to due process and could appeal; penalties include fines and suspension or revocation of a tobacco retail license.
Why it matters: City officials said schools and local districts asked the council to act after incidents of students using concealed vaping devices on campus. Council members cited student safety and the cost of educating a child as reasons for action.
Council discussion was brief. Councilmember Gary Kendrick noted he had received letters from local school districts urging the change and said concealed devices are contributing to youth cannabis use. A motion to introduce the ordinance carried by unanimous vote; the title read in the motion as "An ordinance prohibiting the sale of vaping devices disguised as other products by amending sections 8.33.0.05 and 8.33.0.09 of chapter 8.33 of title 8 of the El Cajon Municipal Code relating to regulation of licensure of tobacco retailers." The ordinance will return at a later meeting for a second reading and adoption.
