Saskatoon city council to exempt e-cigarette use in vaping stores

Vaping shop owners in Saskatoon are heaving a sigh of relief.Their customers will be allowed to sample e-cigarettes before buying.

On Monday,city council passed a by-law that bans vaping everywhere smoking is banned. But it also agreed toamend the by-lawto exempt vapingshops.

"Our customers need to be able to see them and use them and test them, have our staff troubleshoot any problems and actually use the devices in the store to show how to use them safely and properly,"MitchellTarala, owner ofVaporJedi said.

The Lung Association argued against the exemption, saying it's concernedabout shop staff being exposed to harmful substances that the vapour may contain.

"Well certainly any time you bring outside ingredients into the lungs there can be particulate matter there. And that's where lung health damage happens. So that is our focus certainly is lung health,"Jennifer Miller, vice-president of health promotion with the Lung Association of Saskatchewan,said.

The exemption is notofficial yet.City council has to pass another by-law amendment.But it did pass a motion today in favour of the exemption.

The city will also exempttobacco use foraboriginal spiritual or cultural practices and ceremonies.

The city does not allow smoking in any city-owned facilitiesor on city grounds.

CBC reporter Kathy Fitzpatrick tweeted live from council today.