Richland County Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday night that expands the county's smoking ban to vape and electronic smoking products.
The council's decision comes after a third and final reading of the e-cigarette ordinance.
A bulk of the county's findings and decision revolve around the secondhand smoke from the devices. The existing public smoking ban hadn't explicitly included the e-devices.
Andrew Wylam is the South Carolina Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association. He says during the public comment period that an update of the law would keep county residents safer.
"This proposal is not about whether someone chooses to use an e-cigarette. It's about whether employees, customers and families should be involuntarily exposed to those emissions indoors, Wylam said. "Individuals with heart disease, asthma and other underlying health diseases should not have to breathe second-hand aerosol while working, dining, shopping or visiting public spaces."
People will face a $25 charge per offense.
