MONTEREY, Calif. —Monterey wants to ban the use of e-cigarettes anywhere smoking is already prohibited in the city.
The ordinance would not only put in new laws for e-cigarette users it would also ban regular smoking on Municipal Wharf II; smoking on Fisherman's Wharf is already prohibited.
The city says the goal is to make Monterey healthier.
"It's all based on, for smoking the known health impacts of smoking, and secondhand smoke on pedestrians, or non-smokers, as well as the unknown health risks due to vaporizing," said Chip Rerig with the city.
Rerig said there are not many regulations on e-cigarettes at the state or federal level and Monterey decided to put in place some of its own.
Some e-cigarette users say even without a rule they already choose to vape in the smoking sections because it is polite.
"I go to the smoking section just because it is courteous," said student Matthew Duart.
Duart said vapors can be annoying to other people even though he does think they are less toxic than cigarettes.
"I am not going to go into the middle of the quad and start blowing vapor everywhere it's just not the thing to do," he said.
As for the municipal wharf, smoking is already banned at parks and in the workplace and this would be another spot to join the list.
"It's dirty, they leave their cigarette butts, all over the place, it's a fire hazard, and it's not good for them," said sailor Steve Ganns who boats in Monterey.
Some smokers on the wharf agreed that the butts were a problem, and lit cigarettes are a fire danger on the wood and creosote pier.
The city will consider the new ordinance at its Nov. 3 meeting.
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