Naperville likely to restrict e-cigs to those 18 and up

"Vaping" is likely to become a privilege reserved for those 18 or older in Naperville.

The term describes inhaling an odorless water vapor formed from a solution of chemicals in an electronic cigarette, which could become further regulated by the city.

Already banned on high school campuses, e-cigarettes now aren't allowed at Naperville Public Library buildings or within 30 feet of their doors.

Officials wanted to be clear that e-cigarettes are not allowed in or near the three library branches, so they updated the library's code on Wednesday.

"We have had instances of people using them in the children's department," Executive Director Julie Rothenfluh said. "Adults, not kids."

E-cigarette regulations likely won't end with the library, as the city council will consider a unanimous recommendation from the liquor commission to enact restrictions on the sale, possession and use of the increasingly popular vaping devices.

If approved, people younger than 18 will not be able to buy or possess e-cigarettes and businesses that sell the products would have to get an annual $200 license from the city, said Mike DiSanto, city prosecutor.

New regulations are necessary if the city wants additional control because e-cigarettes don't contain tobacco, so they're not covered under existing city and state smoking bans, DiSanto said.

"The new ordinance creates a definition of alternative nicotine products, which doesn't include patches and gum and things used to stop smoking," DiSanto said. "It takes these products and requires a license to sell, prohibits from selling to minors, makes it illegal for minors to possess, and expands the Naperville smoke-free act to say e-cigarettes cannot be consumed inside public places or within 15 feet of the door."

Naperville police detective Mark English said the new regulations would help with enforcement of e-cigarette bans at Naperville schools.

"Right now, we have an issue with them at some of the high schools," English said. "They're banned at the high schools, but we still have people bringing them in, so we could cite them accordingly under the ordinance if it were passed."

Liquor commissioner Scott Wehrli said the licensing requirement would help Naperville know who is selling e-cigarettes, as stores offering "vaping" products are becoming more common. DiSanto said most tobacco shops in Naperville are selling e-cigarettes, and he knows of one specialty store that offers nothing but e-cigarettes and related materials.

There could be more, but because the city does not require a general license for all businesses, it's impossible to tell.

"This would put us in a position where we would find out," Wehrli said. "Right now, products like these can be sold anywhere and we don't know where to even start enforcing."