Ottawa declares buses as "no vaping" zones - Metrolinx needs to get on this and soon

The City of Ottawa has taken a harder look at its transit bylaw and now says the use of e-cigarettes on city buses and the O-Train is illegal, and that anyone caught “vaping,” as the practice is known, could face fines of up to $5,000.

City Solicitor Rick O’Connor released a statement on the practice late Thursday after being asked by Mayor Jim Watson and other officials to review the legislation following comments from OC Transpo officials earlier this week that seemed to suggest the use of e-cigarettes, which deliver nicotine to a smoker without the need to be burned like a traditional cigarette, was permitted.

“Given that the City has received numerous public complaints regarding the use of e-cigarettes on buses and other OC Transpo property, it is apparent that the use of e-cigarettes may interfere with the comfort and convenience of other transit riders and users may therefore be subject to enforcement action, including fines of up to $5,000. I would like to apologize for any confusion that the earlier legal comments may have given,” O’Connor said in the emailed statement.

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That this bozo is only blowing smoke from e-cigarette around the Go train doesn't make me want to slap him any less. pic.twitter.com/DkSG9M8rT0
— Steve Ladurantaye (@sladurantaye) August 6, 2014