A proposed bill in California that would require e-cigarettes to be classified as tobacco products and adhere to the state’s existing smoke-free laws will be discussed at a capitol hearing.

A proposed California State Senate bill, known as SB 140, calls for e-cigarettes to be defined as tobacco products and that they adhere to California’s existing smoke-free laws which prohibit smoking at workplaces, schools, hospitals, restaurants, and other public places to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and discourage smoking in general.

According to bill author Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), 180 cities and counties in California have already passed ordinances restricting e-cigarettes.

“These tobacco products are addicting a new generation of smokers to toxic nicotine, which we already know is highly addictive and contains harmful chemicals,” Senator Leno said in a statement. “SB 140 puts common sense regulations into place statewide in order to protect young people, non-smokers, and smokers alike.”

Read the full story at www.patch.com