Pearland City Council adds vaping to city smoking ban

The city of Pearland voted to amend its ordinance banning smoking in public places to also ban vaping in businesses on Nov. 11 after preliminary approval Oct. 28. The exception to this is businesses that primarily sell smoking products or devices, according to the city agenda.

Council discussed whether banning vaping at public places is the role of the local government, rather than the role of the local business owner.

"I think this is an overreach of government," Council Member Gary Moore said.

Council Member Trent Perez agreed, as he argued at both meetings there is no science that definitively proves vaping has a harmful effect on people.

Council Members Luke Orlando and Adrian Hernandez requested the ordinance be amended. They both argued that public health is at risk by keeping vaping legal in public places.

Hernandez said it is reported that people are making there own vapors at home, some of which can be harmful, even second-hand, to vulnerable populations.

"I think it's incumbent upon us to protect those vulnerable populations. ... And that is one of the big reasons I support this," Hernandez said.

The motion passed 5-2 with Perez and Moore against.