HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-03-2015 PH2 CastroCOUNCIL MEETING:—z- S—Is
ITEM NO.:
February 27, 2015
The Honorable !an Howell Marx
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Dear Mayor Howell Marx and Members of the Council:
CancerAction
Network -
FEB 2 7 2015 j
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is committed to protecting the health and well-being of the citizens
of San Luis Obispo, and encourages the city in updating the current retail tobacco license and smoke -free outdoor areas
ordinance, as has been done elsewhere in other jurisdictions across the state_ However, we ask that this amendment
also redefine smoking to include e- cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices.
Several studies have found e- cigarette aerosol to contain propylene glycol, nicotine, and flavorings, while other studies
found it to contain heavy metals, volatile organic compounds and tobacco - specific nitrosamines, among other
ingredients. A 2009 study done by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found cancer- causing substances in several
of the e- cigarette samples tested_ Additionally, FDA tests found nicotine in some e- cigarettes that claimed to contain no
nicotine_
There are also serious questions about the safety of inhaling the substances in e- cigarette aerosol. E- cigarettes have not
been subject to thorough, independent testing or FDA regulation, so users cannot be sure of what they are actually
inhaling. Some studies have shown that some e- cigarettes can cause short -term lung changes and irritations and the
long -term health effects, as noted above, are unknown. Allowing the use of electronic smoking devices in public places
where smoking is otherwise prohibited can create confusion with enforcement issues as well, as there are concerns that
they may create new tobacco users, trigger a desire in those trying to quit, and reverse efforts that have made smoking
socially unacceptable.
The appeal of e- cigarettes to youth is a new and rapidly growing problem. E- cigarettes are sold in an assortment of
flavors that appeal to youth, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows that the marketing of
these products is enticing to this population. Eliminating the public use of e- cigarettes will go further to help prevent
the tobacco industry from using these devices to renormalize smoking and luring the next generation of young people to
a deadly addiction. We encourage San Luis Obispo to take this next step in protecting the community by prohibiting the
use of e- cigarettes, and other electronic smoking devices, wherever smoking is prohibited.
Sincerely,
fir, Government Relations
ter Los Angeles /Tri- County Region
American Cancer society Cancer Action Network
3333 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900 ■ Los Angeles, CA 90010
21-1427.7394 • FAX: 213.326.5925, PrIMO.Ca5tr Cancer,org