WESTMINSTER, Md. (WMAR) — Westminster is set to become the first city in Maryland to ban vaping in public areas.
On Monday the city council approved the measure, sending it to the Mayor's desk.
The new ordinance doesn't include restrictions on businesses like vape shops or cannabis dispensaries.
Individual violators of the new law could be fined $50, while businesses could face a $100 for a first offense and double that for a second offense committed within the same year.
Each violation after that could be punishable by as much as $500, along with the possibility of being considered a public nuisance, which could lead to other fines or penalties.
“The City took this action to promote public health and to remove uncertainty for business owners about what was permissible in public spaces," said Mayor Joe Dominick. "Westminster is joining a few counties in what will soon be the rest of the state in taking this action. The police department will be enforcing the ordinance," Dominick said.
