County tobacco ban expanded to include to e-cigarettes

Lighting up a cigarette, puffing a pipe, chewing tobacco — even smoking a hookah — has been prohibited in county buildings and vehicles since 2006.

But now that ban also includes the use of electronic cigarettes, under a measure unanimously approved without debate Wednesday by the Cook County board.

The ban on so-called e-cigs went into effect immediately after the vote. It applies to all county facilities including courthouses, detention centers, garages, hospitals and storage facilities, according to the text of the ordinance

Administrative offices are also subject to the ban, meaning even county commissioners and administrative workers will have to step outside and stand at least 15-feet from the door.

At county health facilities e-cigarette smokers will have to head 30 feet from entrances before they can indulge, the ordinance states.