As more communities across the country tighten vape ban regulations or flavor bans, some are completely banning vapes of all kinds. Wilmington vape shop owners, employees, and customers are fighting back. And fighting back HARD.
WECT6 out of Wilmington:
New Hanover County commissioners consider tougher restrictions on smoking and vaping in county, city and town-owned property. Some vape shop owners and managers are taking a strong stand. And others bow out of the industry.
AMV Holdings is one of the largest vape retailers in the United States. President Sam Salaymeh says the general move to “demonize” vaping and regulate it at a government level are “misguided knee jerk reactions to misinformation”.
“There is paranoia and fear and in many ways what I would call hysteria. It is leading regulators to try and do anything to show that the checklist that they’ve done something. In reality the science is absolute on the fact that there is no secondhand smoke effect with vapor.”
The New Potential Wilmington Law
If it is passed, bars and restaurants would still be able to designate outdoor areas for smoking and vaping. However, anyone caught puffing in a public place could face a $50 fine. The rule will not go into effect until county commissioners vote on it. Voting is expected to happen in February.
From the Spinfuel VAPE News Reporter:
There IS a move in this country to demonize vaping. Despite being recognized as the safest and most effective smoking cessation product in history, a determined opposition seeks to dismantle this vital industry. Motives often appear rooted in either profound paranoia or the pursuit of financial gain.
Somehow, some way, we have to find more effective ways to combat the misguided efforts out there trying to push those who have quit smoking through vaping back to tobacco cigarettes. We operate in a country founded on FREE country, not a prohibitive state like Massachusetts, where citizens’ rights to vape are under siege.
The Southern Side
With strong ties to the South, hearing North Carolina was about to push vapers back to previous smoking habits was a surprise!
People in North Carolina are sturdy, hardy, and hardworking, mostly with conservative lifestyles. They would never think of taking freedoms away from their neighbors. I suspect anti-vaping activists are attempting to cause trouble for vapers and vape shops in North Carolina.
What an ugly, dirty fight this is becoming. Vaping is 95% safer than smoking. Ask the CDC, for goodness sake. But for some reason (money, power), certain people want vapers to lose their rights to vape. I unequivocally reject these assertions and stand in solidarity with those fighting for vaping rights in North Carolina!
