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Council adds vaping and electronic delivery devices to Monroe smoking ban
Summary
Following a public hearing with health-related testimony, the council updated the city’s smoking code to explicitly include electronic delivery devices and vaping products in places where smoking is already prohibited; staff will coordinate outreach with Main Street Monroe and Green County Health.
The council considered an ordinance that would add vaping and other electronic delivery devices to the city’s existing smoking prohibition. City Attorney Bartoff said the current code reflects state prohibitions on smoking in enclosed public places but did not expressly cover vaping.
Scott Marty, a long-time Monroe resident, asked the council to extend the ban to e-cigarettes and vaping devices, citing possible harmful chemicals in the aerosol. “E cigarettes and vaping products are harmful,” Marty said, urging the city to treat electronic devices the same as tobacco products in restaurants and bars. Councilmembers agreed the code should be updated and discussed outreach: staff said they would coordinate messaging with Main Street Monroe, the chamber, and Green County Health and that initial enforcement would focus on education rather than immediate citations.
The council read the ordinance into the record and approved it by roll-call vote. Members said they would send communications and work with public-health partners to support businesses and public education about the new language.
