SAN ANTONIO- Vaping or using electronic cigarettes in public spaces is no longer allowed in San Antonio. The city council approved the ban this week, as did a smoking ban that has been in place for more than a decade.

“It’s still smoking and it’s still dangerous to your health and the health of those around you,” says public health administrator Kathy Shields of Metro Health.

Shields says what makes e-cigarettes and vaporizers so dangerous is that they are unregulated products on the market.

“There are a lot of unknowns about these products, but I think that’s the main reason to avoid them, because you don’t really know what’s in these cartridges,” Shields says.

It’s that same reason why the San Antonio City Council voted unanimously to ban all e-cigarettes and vaporizers in all indoor public spaces, including offices, restaurants or museums. Basically, where you can’t smoke a cigarette is where you can’t use these electronic devices.

“And it’s really a matter of public safety,” says Marc Whyte, San Antonio City Councilman for District 10.

Councilman Whyte says the next step is to approve the council’s request for consideration to establish a 1,000-foot buffer zone around establishments such as schools and daycares. The goal is to prevent vape and hookah shops from opening nearby.

“And we now know that vaping has harmful effects on the lungs due to the addictive nature of nicotine,” says Councilor Whyte.

While the vape shop owners I spoke to don’t believe the ban will actually affect their businesses, they do feel that stricter rules on where they can set up shop will affect their businesses. Currently in Bexar County, Metro Health says there are just over 1,152 e-cigarette retailers, including dedicated vape shops and gas stations. The goal of the CCR, if passed, is to reduce the accessibility and visibility of vaping products to minors.

“Because of the aerosol that comes from these electronic smoking devices, it is 1:58 dangerous and contains harmful chemicals and toxic substances,” says Shields.

“We want to send a clear message to the city that we are taking this seriously and I believe the ban will go a long way to protecting San Antonio residents,” says Council Member Whyte.