SKB
This is why Starbucks does not allow electronic cigarettes, taken from the Public Health website. Any establishment in King County allowing customers to smoke these is breaking the law.
“Electronic cigarettes in King County
Electronic cigarettes are battery operated devices that deliver nicotine – the highly addictive substance in tobacco. On 12/16/10, the King County Board of Health passed an ordinance making it illegal to:
•sell e-cigarettes to minors
•offer free or discounted e-cigarettes
•use e-cigarettes in any area where smoking is prohibited by law
This county-wide ordinance, which went into effect on 1/15/11, will promote the public’s health by preventing youth from nicotine addiction and preserving our public spaces as smoke-free.
What are electronic cigarettes?
•Battery-operated devices deliver nicotine vapor to mimic cigarette smoking
•Made of a cartridge filled with flavoring and various strengths of liquid nicotine
•Can cost as little as $10, but a starter kit is typically available for $50 to $100
•Not regulated or approved for use in tobacco cessation by the FDA
Why did the Board of Health ban e-cigarette sales to youth?
•E-cigarettes may appeal to youth because of:◦high-tech design
◦placement in mall kiosks, convenience stores and online
◦wide array of flavor cartridges, including fruit punch, chocolate and mint
•Use of e-cigarettes among youth can increase nicotine addiction and may lead to use of conventional tobacco products
Why aren’t e-cigarettes a safe alternative to smoking?
•Testing by the FDA1 found products that:◦Contained diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze that is toxic to humans
◦Contained human carcinogens (half of the samples tested)
◦Misrepresented of nicotine level
◦Had poor product quality control
•Companies continue to claim that e-cigarettes are a safe and effective way to quit using tobacco, without FDA approval or product testing
•Most e-cigarettes don’t have health warnings comparable to FDA-approved nicotine replacement products or conventional cigarettes
For more information, call 206-296-7613.
This fact sheet is also available in PDF format.”