Santa Monica became the latest smoke-free Southern California city Thursday as its ban on e-cigarettes went into effect.
The ban restricts e-cigarettes from any place regular cigarettes are not allowed, such as bars, restaurants and clubs, as well as outdoor areas including beaches, bus stops, ATM lines, public parks, the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade.
The Santa Monica City Council voted unanimously in June to join a growing list of cities that have restricted the use of the devices, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Manhattan Beach and Beverly Hills.
E-cigarettes will also be banned in Santa Monica's residential areas where smoking is already prohibited, including non-smoking apartment and condo units and common areas of multi-unit buildings.
"Vaping" will be barred inside all businesses, including vaping lounges -- although the two "vape shops" already licensed in the city, Fix Vapor and Vapor Delight, will be exempted.
Businesses that sell electronic cigarettes will have to obtain a license from the city.
